The Hindu : International : Families angry at deaths in Andes

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Sunday, May 22, 2005

International

International

Families angry at deaths in Andes

SANTIAGO: Chile's army is facing accusations of sending ill-prepared young recruits into deadly mountain conditions, as hopes faded for dozens of soldiers lost in Andean blizzards. General Rodolfo Gonzalez admitted that ``mistakes may have been made'' in dispatching several companies, comprising hundreds of troops, some with just a few weeks' training, into appalling weather high in the Andes near the border with Argentina. Five bodies of soldiers frozen to death have already been recovered. Another 47, who have been missing for more than two days, are still unaccounted for. They have questioned whether adequate equipment was provided to the recruits, many of whom reportedly left without gloves, eye protection or sufficient food. They have also asked whether the army took note of dire weather reports issued ahead of the exercises. ``Of course there are responsibilities, we are looking into that. Of course mistakes may have been made,'' Gen. Gonzalez said. Survivors who struggled back to the base, their faces frozen, described a macabre field of corpses buried in the snow. —

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