By Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A rock slide killed two Brazilian girls in Chile, police there reported on Monday, June 3rd. Khálida Trabulsi Lisboa and Isadora Bringel, three and seven years old, respectively, died after being struck by rock debris, which came loose from one of the mountains near the El Yeso dam, a tourist spot in the Andes mountains near the metropolitan area of Santiago.
The identities of the two girls from Maranhão were confirmed to the G1 news station by the Chilean police and by the wife of Khálida’s grandfather.
This family member also said that the two families were friends and had traveled to Chile. The children studied at the same school in Bacabal (Maranhão).
Witnesses heard by G1 reported that rock broke off from a mountain, crashed and shattered into several chunks that struck the group of tourists. More people were hurt.
Mireya Chocair, governor of Cordillera province, stated that the tour operator — unnamed — could be held accountable as the bus and tourists had crossed over to a restricted location.
“There is signage, and tour guides know how things work, the city is in constant contact with the agencies. There are clear rules in place, and these are public knowledge,” said the governor.
However, municipal councilor Alejandro Hormazabal, who witnessed the accident, said the group of tourists left the bus and followed the trail on foot. According to him, no signs or notices were preventing the circulation of people in the region of El Yeso.
According to Chilean TV network T13, Khálida, three years old, died on the scene. Isadora, seven years old, was taken to a medical center but did not survive her injuries.
The Brazilian consulate in Chile reported that a delegation team is on its way to the crash site to assist their families.
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