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Andean snowstorm strands trucks, traps families and forces evacuations in Argentina
A severe snowstorm across the Argentine Andes has caused widespread disruption. Heavy snowfall isolated communities, closed roads and triggered avalanches that trapped a family of five in Calingasta, San Juan, and a puestero in Jáchal. Gendarmería Nacional’s high‑mountain units rescued six people in these operations. The storm also stranded fourteen Rio Tinto employees and contractors for up to 100 hours in Catamarca during a polar storm, prompting a government investigation. Approximately 1,500 trucks were immobilised at the Cristo Redentor border crossing between Argentina and Chile, creating a major logistical bottleneck. Record low temperatures were recorded in Patagonia, with El Calafate reaching –17.6 °C, a historic minimum. Guanacos descended onto roads in San Juan seeking lower ground, prompting traffic alerts. In Chile, the Army Aviation evacuated a newborn and her family from the isolated Talhuén sector by helicopter. The combined impact includes rescued families, stranded workers and cargo, wildlife disturbances and extreme cold across the region.
Entities
Andes mountain range · Calingasta (San Juan Province) · Chilean Army Aviation · Cristo Redentor border crossing · El Calafate · Gendarmería Nacional · Rio Tinto
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Gendarmería rescued six people—including a family and a puestero—in San Juan province. diariolaprovinciasj.com · mendozatoday.com.ar · www.diarioelzondasj.com.ar · www.canal13sanjuan.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 1,500 trucks were stranded at the Cristo Redentor border crossing due to snow. diariopanorama.com · metsul.com
- [● 12 SOURCES] Heavy snowfall in the Andes caused road closures and isolated communities in Argentina and Chile. www.diarioelzondasj.com.ar · inforama.com.ar · www.miradiols.cl · www.canal13sanjuan.com · diariolaprovinciasj.com · +6 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] An avalanche trapped a family of five in Calingasta, San Juan, Argentina. www.canal13sanjuan.com · diariolaprovinciasj.com · mendozatoday.com.ar · www.diarioelzondasj.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A record low temperature of –17.6 °C was recorded in El Calafate, Patagonia. metsul.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Guanacos descended onto roads in San Juan seeking lower ground during the snowstorm. www.sitiosargentina.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Fourteen Rio Tinto employees and contractors were stranded for up to 100 hours in Catamarca during a polar storm. inforama.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Chilean Army Aviation evacuated a newborn and her family from Talhuén by helicopter. www.miradiols.cl