They were on their way to pick up their daughter to throw her 15th birthday party, and they were killed by the Zonda wind.

A couple traveling to pick up their daughter for her quinceañera celebration died after a tree fell onto their vehicle due to strong winds known as the Zonda. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon along National Route 143 near Paso de las Carretas in San Carlos department, Mendoza province. Fabio Germán Pompei, 46, and his wife Fabiana Piedi were killed instantly when a large tree crashed onto their car. Two other occupants, the couple’s daughter and another woman, survived despite sustaining injuries. The victims were identified as Fabio Germán Pompei and Fabiana Piedi, residents of Chacras de Coria. Pompei was driving the vehicle while his wife was in the front passenger seat. According to rescue experts, the impact of the falling tree completely destroyed the roof over the front seats, causing both fatalities almost immediately. The couple had planned the trip to retrieve their daughter, who was in San Rafael playing field hockey with the divisions of the Banco Mendoza club. The young girl was scheduled to return that night with the team, but her parents decided to go meet her to spend the weekend together and finalize plans for her upcoming 15th birthday party, set for the following weekend. Around 4:35 p.m., during their return journey, the Zonda wind caused the tree to fall onto their car, resulting in the deaths of Pompei and his wife. Miraculously, the rear part of the vehicle remained largely undamaged, allowing their daughter and Andrea Roxana Fariña, 52, from Río Cuarto, Córdoba, to survive. Both women were rescued by firefighters after a complex operation that required cutting into the vehicle's body. They were then urgently transported to the Antonio J. Scaravelli Hospital, where medical sources confirmed they suffered various traumas but are recovering well and out of immediate danger. This tragedy adds to a series of incidents linked to the Zonda wind in the region. Earlier this year, on May 6, a motorcyclist died and another was injured when a tree fell on them in Las Heras, north of Mendoza city. The accident happened at the intersection of Dorrego and Azcuénaga streets, where the tree collapsed just as the two riders passed through. One rider, aged 23, died instantly from the impact, while the other, 44, was taken to a local health center for treatment of his injuries. The Zonda wind, which originates from the Andes Mountains and brings dry, hot air to western Argentina, has been responsible for several accidents in recent years. Its sudden gusts can cause trees and power lines to fall, creating hazardous conditions for drivers and pedestrians alike. Local authorities have repeatedly warned residents about the risks associated with these unpredictable weather patterns, urging caution during periods of high wind activity. The survivors of the recent crash remain hospitalized but are reported to be in stable condition. Their recovery will likely take time, but they are expected to make a full recovery. Meanwhile, the community continues to mourn the loss of Pompei and his wife, whose lives were cut short while trying to celebrate a special occasion with their family. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by nature’s forces, even during what should have been a joyous moment.