A 51-year-old woman died from a cardiorespiratory arrest while cycling along Route 68 toward the Lo Vásquez Sanctuary in the Valparaíso Region during the traditional pilgrimage for the Immaculate Conception. The incident happened around 3:45 a.m. at kilometer 73.6, despite SAMU's reanimation efforts. The Public Ministry is investigating possible prior heart issues as the cause.
The death occurred in the early hours of Monday, December 8, 2025, as thousands of faithful headed to the Lo Vásquez Sanctuary to commemorate the Immaculate Conception. According to prosecutor Andrés Gallardo, the 51-year-old victim was cycling at the time of the collapse. “The Public Ministry has learned of the death of a 51-year-old person on Route 68, en route to the Lo Vásquez Sanctuary. She died in the public road while traveling by bicycle to that place,” the prosecutor stated.
Carabineros received a call reporting a person lying on the road at kilometer 73.6. Upon arrival, SAMU teams were performing reanimation maneuvers, but the woman died at the scene. Initial inquiries point to a cardiorespiratory arrest, possibly linked to prior heart problems and a bypass. The prosecutor ordered examinations by the Police Investigation Section (SIP) of Carabineros and the Medical Legal Service to confirm the hypothesis.
The pilgrimage drew about 1.3 million people, according to regional presidential delegate Yanino Riquelme, who highlighted generally orderly behavior. However, health services recorded around 370 attentions, mainly for falls and injuries during the journey. Riquelme expressed regret: “We lament the death of a person… precisely a cyclist.” Additionally, another death was reported, a man in Curacaví, under investigation by Metropolitan Region authorities.
Route 68 implemented security devices, detours, and partial closures due to the massive movement on foot, by bicycle, or in caravans. The investigation continues to determine whether external factors or solely medical ones contributed to the tragic outcome.
