Chile's National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), along with Carabineros' GOPE team, resumed on Sunday the search for a 66-year-old man lost in the Laguna Azul sector of Villarrica National Park, in La Araucanía. The hiker entered via an unauthorized path on Saturday morning from fundo Porvenir without registering at control points. Operations, supported by firefighters and drones, will continue until 6 p.m.
The search began Saturday afternoon, April 12, and continued until 2 a.m. Sunday. Conaf personnel, Carabineros' Special Police Operations Group (GOPE), firefighters from Pucón and Curarrehue are involved in the efforts. Volunteer firefighters from Teodoro Schmidt are providing drones to scan the area.
The 66-year-old man carried light gear and started his trek around 9 a.m. from fundo Porvenir but did not register at the park's control points. Héctor Tillería, Conaf's regional director in La Araucanía, stated: “We deeply regret this situation and are actively collaborating in the search efforts alongside the various institutions deployed on the ground”.
Tillería urged visitors to protected areas: “Register at control points and properly plan routes, as these measures are essential to prevent emergencies and enable timely responses”. Sunday's operations will end at 6 p.m.
