A couple has been killed by an avalanche while mountain climbing.
Experienced mountaineers Daniel Navarro and Sandra Covone were part of a three-person team struck by the snow slide at around 5.40am yesterday (17 Jun).
The pair, who regularly documented their climbs on social media, had been in Peru for an acclimatisation route in the region.
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They tragically perished when a massive wall of snow collapsed on top of them.
Daniel, 45, a Mexican mountain guide with 26 years of experience, and his partner Sandra, 33, a Canadian national, were killed on the spot.
Their Peruvian guide, Florentino Caldua, survived the avalanche and raised the alarm via satellite phone.
He was later rescued in stable condition by a mountain rescue team, as reported by Need To Know.
The avalanche occurred on the treacherous slopes of Nevado Tocllaraju (6,034m), one of the most visited peaks in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range in western Peru.
The couple had shared posts from their ascents of Nevado Mateo on 7 June and Nevado Vallunaraju on 9 June as part of their preparation.
Rescue efforts were complicated by adverse weather and difficult high-altitude terrain.
Porfirio Cacha Macedo, president of the Association of Mountain Guides of Áncash (AGOEMA), stated that the recovery mission remains exceptionally complex due to the accumulation of loose snow, heavy rock, and dense ice.
They have reportedly found one body but the search continues for the second victim in tough conditions.
Diplomatic representatives are currently coordinating with the Mexican and Canadian authorities regarding the international repatriation of the victims’ bodies.
No further statements have been released on the recovery of the bodies as the search operation continues in demanding conditions.
