Tragedia en San Juan: qué se sabe de la caída del helicóptero y el rescate de las víctimas

A helicopter carrying seven people crashed in the Ischigualasto Provincial Park in San Juan on Wednesday, killing all aboard, according to Governor Marcelo Orrego. The Bell 412EP was used for wildfire combat training and had been heading to La Rioja province to assist with ongoing firefighting efforts. The last contact with the aircraft was recorded at 10:26, followed by an emergency alert four minutes later. The wreckage was found around 13:00 near the Caballo Anca field, a vast state-owned area spanning nearly 64,000 hectares between the departments of Jáchal and Valle Fértil. The terrain is rugged, sparsely populated, and difficult to access by land. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash. The helicopter’s final signal placed it on the border between San Juan and La Rioja provinces. Among the victims were four provincial officials: Carlos Heredia, director of Civil Protection; Comisario General Germán Videla, deputy head of the provincial police; Comisario General Rubén Castro, head of Firefighters; and Comisario Inspector Jorge Carbajal, second-in-command of the firefighters. Also killed were pilot Matías Valenzuela and members of the Federal Emergency Agency (AFE), Andrés Bosch and Rodrigo Aimetta. Four of the deceased were residents of San Juan, while the other three hailed from Córdoba and Buenos Aires. Governor Orrego confirmed the identities via a message posted on X, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life and honoring the public servants who dedicated their lives to protecting the people of San Juan. He pledged government support for the families affected and cooperation with relevant organizations to provide necessary assistance. The training mission was organized and funded by the AFE, which operates under the Ministry of Security of the Nation. The program included three days of activities: theoretical sessions, practical exercises at an air club, and a final exercise in Valle Fértil. The AFE stated that the helicopter was being used for such training in San Juan before proceeding to La Rioja to aid in wildfire suppression efforts. Governor Ricardo Quintela of La Rioja noted that the crew was traveling to his province to join operations in Chilecito. He described their sacrifice as an act of duty and solidarity. The aircraft, a Bell 412EP twin-turbine model, was designed for transportation, rescue, evacuation, and fire suppression tasks. It made its first flight in 2010, was registered in Argentina in 2022, and was operated by the company Jasfly, as per information from the National Aviation Administration cited by Diario de Cuyo. The search operation began shortly after the emergency alert was triggered. The Argentine Air Navigation Company's Search and Rescue Service received the activation of the helicopter’s Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) at 10:30, identifying the aircraft with registration number LV-KGR. The last signal located the helicopter on the border between San Juan and La Rioja. Subsequently, another aircraft flying overhead identified the location. The recovery effort faced challenges due to the remote and unforgiving landscape. Local authorities and emergency services worked together to locate and retrieve the bodies, with community members offering support along the route, including waving flags and applauding the passing ambulances as part of a show of solidarity. The incident has sparked discussions about safety protocols and the risks associated with aerial operations in challenging environments.