A British woman who was among five foreign tourists killed in a blizzard at a nature reserve in southern Chile has been named as Victoria Bond.
The visitors to Torres del Paine nature reserve, Chile’s most visited foreign tourist spot, were caught off guard Monday while exploring the Patagonian park famed for its granite peaks, glaciers and wildlife, which is 1,740 miles south of Chile’s capital Santiago.
Two Mexicans and two Germans also died in the incident yesterday amid heavy rainfall and winds of up to 120mph.
Before the tragedy, Cornwall-based PR worker Victoria, 40, had posted a video taken by another British member of their group, detailing their progress.
It showed footage of her and the other trekkers crossing raging rivers under drizzle and grey skies.
The Brit who recorded the video, who referenced Victoria in his post with the initials VB, wrote: ‘Day 1 of the Patagonia O-Trek: also known as 15km of why the f**k did I fly 8,000 when I could’ve walked round Bodmin Moor in a light drizzle?
‘It p***ed it down from the first step, the trail rebranded itself as an Amazon tributary, and at one point I’m fairly certain I saw a trout overtake me. Five river crossings and only one bloody bridge. Should’ve brought a canoe and a priest.
‘Morale at an all-time low… and THEN the skies suddenly cleared, the valley cracked open like a tin of peaches, and we stumbled into camp with trench foot.
Cornwall-based PR worker Victoria, believed to be 30, died alongside foreign tourists in Chile
Victoria shared footage of her and the other trekkers crossing raging rivers under drizzle and grey skies
The five dead were visiting the Patagonian Torres del Paine nature reserve, Chile’s most visited foreign tourist spot (File image)
‘Dinner was gourmet — rehydrated slop in a pouch — while VB, our very own Patagonia Princess, dined on first-class full board because she paid £900 not to carry a bag.
‘We’re also raising money for Movember, for men’s mental health and suicide prevention.’
More than 20 people were involved in a search for the victims who were understood to have been part of a group of nine people who went missing.
The alarm was raised on Monday night through a ‘Please Help’ message published in a Facebook group used by foreign visitors to the area where an English-speaking tourist said others who were doing the demanding Circuit O or Patagonia O-Trek had become trapped by bad weather.
Local media reported that much of the country is currently facing heavy snow, wind and rain.
Chilean president Gabriel Boric said in a post on X: ‘To the families, friends and loved ones of the five people of Mexican, German and British nationality who regrettably died in the tragedy that occurred in Torres del Paine, I send my most sincere condolences.
‘Know that they can rely on the full collaboration of the Chilean authorities and institutions in these difficult moments.’
The two Mexicans who died have been identified as Cristina Calvillo Tovar and Julian Garcia Pimentel and the two Germans as Nadine Lichey and Andreas Von Pein.
Victoria, pictured in a boat in Cornwall, had shared updates about the trek in Patagonia
Initially reporting two dead and seven missing, regional government official Jose Antonio Ruiz updated the toll to five later in the day, made up of one Brit, two Mexicans and two Germans.
Four people were rescued alive, but Ruiz did not specify their nationalities or their health status.
Ruiz added: ‘Talks have already begun with the relevant consuls regarding the repatriation of bodies. The Prosecutor’s Office has also authorised the movement of bodies, so we are now entering a phase of evacuation, prioritising air transport’.
Soldiers and police joined the search effort in the park designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1978.
Authorities also closed off the zone during the search. As many as 24 were involved in the search.
In 2024, more than 367,000 tourists visited the reserve and its hiking trails, according to the latest available figures from the Conaf national forestry body.
The weather forecast for Torres del Paine has been for sleet and strong winds, which diminishes visibility for hikers who may stray from the park’s dedicated trails as a result, Juan Carlos Andrades of the Senapred emergency response unit told AFP.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric, in a message on X, offered his condolences to the loved ones of the five who died in what he described as a ‘tragedy.’
An FCDO spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘We are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Chile.’
Victoria described herself on Instagram as a PR for the Isles of Scilly official Instagram, @visittheislesofscilly.
Her social media shows she was well-travelled. In the past year she had travelled to Athens and enjoyed time on a catamaran which she described as a ’10/10 life experience’.
She had also posted photos of a trip to places like Barbados and Costa Rica, including one of her in the Spanish speaking Central American country where she was on a horse on a picture-postcard beach.
One man who appeared to know a member of the trekking group Victoria was in, in a poignant message written alongside the footage of the group Victoria reposted on her Instagram, said: ‘Good luck you lovely bunch. Bring that tiny one back in one piece please.’
An agonising ‘help’ message was written by American holidaymaker Arab Ginnett as the full scale of the problems the foreign holidaymakers caught up in the blizzard unfolded.
She wrote in the Facebook group Torres del Paine, Chile, which is well used by foreign visitors and offers information about excursions in the national park: ‘We are at Los Perros camp in the Torres del Paine. People were climbing the John Gardner earlier today and the weather has turned very bad.
‘We are snowed in and people are still out on the pass. Very strong wind, 120 mph.
‘They left at 6.00am this morning. We have sent out 20-25 people to rescue people who are still missing.
‘We believe there are at least five people who have not been found, one is being rescued now but she is very unresponsive.
‘They are on the side between Los Perros and the top of the pass. We need urgent help, climbers and rescuers are at the risk of dying based on our current situation.
‘We have sent everybody we can up the mountain but still need more helpers. It is very difficult to get information about rescue services here. Please contact me if you can help.’
Carlos Cornejo, not knowing at that stage how the drama was going to play out, replied: ‘Sending prayers so they receive swift help.’
Ismael Ligues added: ‘How terrible what’s happened. People who wanted to experience a beautiful adventure end up losing their lives.’
Eduardo Enrique Polanco Dacosta wrote: ‘Terrible news. This confirms once again how unpredictable the climate is on Circuit O in the Torres del Paine park. Hope to God more people are not involved.’
The five people who died, including British national Victoria , were named by the Magallanes Regional Presidential Delegation which represents Chile’s central government in the region where the tragedy took place.
It said in a statement: ‘We can confirm that apart from the two Mexican people who died, three others have also lost their lives, a German woman, a Mexican man, and a British woman, who formed part of the group of seven people reported as missing.
‘The search and rescue operation has now concluded, with no more missing people at this time.
‘The names of the people who died are Mexicans Cristina Cristina Calvillo Tovar and Julian Garcia Pimentel, British national Victoria Bond, and Germans Nadine Lichey and Andreas Von Pein.’
Regional presidential delegate Jose Ruiz Pivcevic said late yesterday: ‘We regret to have to inform you five people have died.
‘We send our condolences to their families and friends…
‘We’re now in the phase of evacuating the bodies where aerial resources will be prioritised as long as Air Force helicopters can operate in the area and we’ve already initiated conversations with the corresponding consulates so their bodies can be repatriated.
‘We know it’s an area with very difficult access where meteorological conditions are a key factor.’
Paying tribute to those who died, a spokesman for a private transport group covering the Ultima Esperanza province where the tragedy occurred, said: ‘As the Ultima Esperanza Tourism Transport Association, we express our deepest condolences for the tragic events that occurred in Torres del Paine National Park, where five international visitors sadly lost their lives.
‘We wish to honour with respect and solemnity the memory of those who died.
‘Today we join in the grief of their families, friends and loved ones, sending them our sincere condolences from Patagonia.
‘We also stand with the tourists and tourism workers who were affected by this tragedy.
‘Those of us who work here every day know the beauty of Torres del Paine, but also its power and unpredictable nature.
‘These events move us deeply and remind us of the importance of safety and collective commitment to protecting those who visit us.’
Victoria described herself online as a ‘competent and creative individual with nearly 18 years experience in the luxury fashion, travel and lifestyle industry’.
She spent nearly six years as a freelance fashion assistant for Conde Nast and also worked at Harrods, where she was a fine jewellery and watches PR executive, before leaving London to return to her native Cornwall.
The former Truro High School for Girls pupil said on her LinkedIn profile: ‘I am a capable, competent and creative individual with nearly 18 years experience in the Luxury Fashion, Travel and Lifestyle industry, the last 13 years solely within consumer Public Relations.
‘I am currently based in Cornwall where I specialise in travel and lifestyle communications on a freelance basis.
‘My main client is Visit Isles of Scilly, retained since 2019.
“For the three years prior to this, I was Senior Account Director at Marylebone-based Emma Beckett PR where I worked with clients including Jaeger-LeCoultre, Boucheron, Boghossian, Messika, Pippa Small, Shaun Leane, DeMellier, Jennifer Chamandi and Laurence Dacade.
‘Previous to this, I was a Director at Push PR, a London agency specialising in lifestyle brands across fashion, travel, beauty, wellbeing and interiors.
‘Prior to Push PR, I managed the PR for the Harrods Fine Jewellery & Watches department.
‘Before moving into public relations, I worked for five years as a stylist and editorial assistant within a multitude of publications including several Conde Nast UK and International titles such as Vogue, Vogue China, GQ, Italian Vanity Fair, Italian GQ and Vogue Bambini.
‘I also worked on an assistant basis for high-profile individuals and broadcast media (including live television shows and music videos) with actress Annabelle Wallis, Cheryl Cole and Girls Aloud.
‘Commercial clients such as advertising campaigns and catalogues include Replay Jeans, high street chain Next, activewear brand Henry Cottons and menswear Pitti shows in Florence.’
Friends were paying tribute to her today as news of her death reached the UK.
Gerry Sims wrote on social media: ‘When I got the phone call this morning to be told this I have been in shock. VB lit up a room.
‘As sad as it is we have lost a legend today, I’m pleased I got to know her, and glad to call her my friend.
‘Going to miss you mate. RIP VB.’