Bolivia Snow Rescue: Over 360 Stranded Travelers Saved, Including Italians
Bolivian authorities rescued over 360 people, including nearly 60 Italians, after heavy snowfall closed roads in the Andean region.
Authorities in Bolivia have rescued more than 360 people, including nearly 60 Italian nationals, after days of heavy snowfall brought road travel to a standstill in the country's Andean region. The extreme weather has affected five of Bolivia's nine regions, forcing the closure of several key routes.
Potosi, in southern Bolivia, is among the hardest-hit areas. The region's governor, René Joaquino, and his delegation required rescue on Tuesday while working in a high-altitude mountain area. Uyuni Mayor Misael López Medina, who is leading the operations, stated that teams have two immediate goals: rescuing more stranded travelers and clearing a path with machinery to reach the governor and his entourage.
Mayor Medina noted that the mayor's office is deploying two additional teams through its Risk Management Unit and is also renting two front loaders from private individuals to assist in the efforts. He expressed concern that even these measures may not be sufficient.
The Ministry of Defense reported that 26,220 families and 323 communities dedicated to llama and sheep farming and agriculture have been affected. The snow has also impacted the Uyuni Salt Flat and Laguna Colorada, popular tourist destinations that receive numerous visitors daily.
Vice Minister of Civil Defense Roberto Rivero Zimmermann said that Civil Defense is coordinating with municipalities, the Bolivian Highway Administration, the Fire Department, and the Armed Forces to assist communities and reopen roads.
The adverse weather is also affecting La Paz, where icy roads have interrupted vehicular traffic, causing long queues of trucks and buses. In the valleys of Chuquisaca, snowfall was reported for the first time in seven years, with similar conditions in Oruro and Tarija.