LIMA – Two Chileans and a Russian-American man have died in Peru during an ascent of one of the mountains located in the Andes, according to reports in local media.
The three climbers likely triggered an avalanche as they climbed Piramide de Garcilaso, a 5,885 meter-high (19,308 feet) peak in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range of Peru’s central Andes, Rafael Figueroa with the Mountain Guides Association of Peru (AGMP) said on local broadcaster RPP.
“These three people appear to have tried to climb the face of the snow-capped mountain of Piramide de Garcilaso without a trained guide for this type of expedition,” said Figueroa. “We recommend all tourists…go with trained personnel.”
The news outlet further reported that the rescue operation kicked off on Monday, but the bodies had been found only a day later as the people were killed by an avalanche.
The Chileans were identified as Cristóbal Bizzarri and Gabriel Navarrete and the third man is Aleksander Mazmev, Figueroa added.
The Cordillera Blanca, home to scores of glaciers, towering peaks and turquoise lakes, is a popular destination for mountain climbers and trekkers.
The media outlet added that their bodies would be delivered to the town of Caras and sent to their home countries.
The Chilean and Russian embassies in Lima and the U.S. State Department said they could not provide immediate comment.
