# Andes snowstorm continues, more stranded in Catamarca > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-andes-snowstorm-rescue-operations > Updated: 2026-08-15T23:33:17.000Z. Sources: 87. Developments: 7. The mid‑July 2026 Andes snowstorm continues to cripple transport across Argentina and Chile. Heavy snowfall has closed high‑altitude passes, isolated mountain communities and left about 1,500 trucks stranded at the Cristo Redentor border crossing. Argentine Gendarmería Nacional and provincial emergency services have rescued dozens, including families, a puestero, and a newborn in Talhuén, and evacuated 14 Rio Tinto workers after more than 100 hours in –15 °C conditions. In Catamarca, the storm has caused significant hardship for mining personnel. Four Rio Tinto miners were rescued after being buried under several metres of snow at 4,500m, with some suffering hypothermia and frostbite. The Argentine Miners’ Union and family members have since called for investigations into safety-protocol breaches and the lack of winter emergency protocols. On 31 July, three people, including a Rio Tinto contractor, became stranded overnight in La Apacheta after receiving conflicting instructions regarding whether to turn back; rescue efforts were temporarily suspended due to unsafe conditions. A large‑scale operation on 28 July freed over 30 trucks and rescued roughly 120 people in the Fiambalá range, with no fatalities reported. The episode follows the recent rescue of 14 miners and the historic operation that saved 211 tourists, underscoring ongoing concerns about high‑altitude safety, weather‑risk assessment and emergency response in the Andes. ## Claims - Heavy snowfall in the Andes caused road closures and isolated communities in Argentina and Chile. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Heavy machinery such as tractors and excavators was used to clear the snow and free the vehicles. (corroborated by 5 sources) - An avalanche trapped a family of five in Calingasta, San Juan, Argentina. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Over 100 tourists were isolated on a road at about 4,550 metres altitude near Balcón del Pissis. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The rescue effort involved the Argentine National Gendarmerie, provincial police, firefighters, civil‑defence units and the mining company Zijin‑Liex. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The rescue operation began on Tuesday (28 February) and continued into Wednesday. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Approximately 1,500 trucks were stranded at the Cristo Redentor border crossing due to snow. (corroborated by 2 sources) - More than 30 trucks were stranded by snow in the Fiambalá region. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Snow accumulation reached up to two metres in some sections of the road. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Fourteen Rio Tinto employees and contractors were stranded for up to 100 hours in Catamarca during a polar storm. (single source) - The Chilean Army Aviation evacuated a newborn and her family from Talhuén by helicopter. (single source) - A record low temperature of –17.6 °C was recorded in El Calafate, Patagonia. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-15: Severe snow triggers rescue operations in Chile and Argentina Emergency services in Chile and Argentina successfully rescued individuals stranded by heavy snow, including Bolivian customs officials and a couple isolated for over 20 days in Neuquén. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/severe-snow-triggers-rescue-operations-in-chile-and-argentina ### 2026-07-31: Three people stranded in Catamarca's Puna amid snowstorm Three people, including a Rio Tinto contractor, were stranded overnight in La Apacheta, Catamarca's Puna, after a snowstorm halted rescue efforts; authorities were alerted via union AOMA but had not issued an官方 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/three-people-stranded-in-catamarcas-puna-amid-snowstorm ### 2026-07-28: Snowstorm Strands Over 100 Tourists in Argentina's Fiambalá Andes A snowstorm in Fiambalá, Argentina, stranded over 30 vehicles and more than 100 tourists near the Balcón del Pissis; rescue teams freed about 120 people, with two treated for hypothermia and no deaths. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fiambal-snowstorm-traps-over-30-tourist-vehicles-massive-rescue-operation-launched ### 2026-07-24: Rio Tinto miners rescued after three days trapped in Catamarca snowstorm Four Rio Tinto miners were rescued after three days trapped in a -27 °C snowstorm in Catamarca, Argentina, prompting criticism of safety lapses and calls for better winter protocols. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-tinto-miners-rescued-after-three-days-trapped-in-catamarca-snowstorm ### 2026-07-24: Andean snowstorm strands trucks, traps families and forces evacuations in Argentina Andean snowstorm isolates Argentine Andes, traps a family, strands Rio Tinto workers, blocks 1,500 trucks at Cristo Redentor, and forces multiple rescues. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentinas-gendarmerie-rescues-six-people-trapped-in-san-juan-snow ### 2026-07-22: Four Argentine Miners Rescued After Three Nights in Catamarca Snowstorm Four miners survived a three‑day entrapment in a Catamarca snowstorm, rescued after using a satellite phone; ~60 responders overcame –30 °C winds, prompting calls for a safety‑protocol review. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/couple-rescued-after-two-days-trapped-in-santa-cruz-snowstorm ### 2026-07-18: Mendoza snowstorm rescue operation saves 30 people in high mountains A historic snowstorm in Mendoza's high mountains left >3 m of snow, prompting rescue teams to evacuate 30 people from isolated spots along Route 7; travel remains prohibited as conditions persist. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentinas-gendarmerie-conducts-largescale-mountain-rescues-during-severe-storm --- Cite as: Andes snowstorm continues, more stranded in Catamarca. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-andes-snowstorm-rescue-operations