MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chileans celebrate in Argentina

According to press reports over 20,000 tourists crossed to Argentina during Chile's two days national independence holiday, Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th that many Chileans extended until last Sunday.

Argentina's cheap food and lodging prices plus accessible travel packages attracted thousands to Buenos Aires, with all flights from Santiago sold out, and to other neighbouring cities such as Mendoza and Córdoba.

In the extreme south of Chile, several hundred Punta Arenas residents visited Rio Gallegos, Calafate in Santa Cruz province, and Ushuaia and Río Grande in Tierra del Fuego.

Prensa Austral writes that border posts reported an unusual and intense traffic particularly on Sunday evening with private cars and buses tied up for almost half an hour at times.

"We went on an eating spree, since food is so good and cheap. Besides Ushuaia and Río Grande have casinos and good prizes", said Gabriel Vazquez a businessman from Punta Arenas who travelled with his family.

However the five days celebration also had their sad side, at least 41 Chileans died in 753 accidents, one of which occurred in Tierra del Fuego and involved the general manager of Punta Arenas Navy Shipyards.

Mr. José Miguel Romero was returning from Ushuaia with his wife when apparently he lost control of the vehicle after blowing a tyre driving in a poorly kept road.

By the time he was rescued it was too late to fly him by helicopter to Punta Arenas and was taken by land to Porvenir where he died.

His wife Daniela Romero is in critical condition in Punta Arenas Armed Forces hospital. The Chilean Navy apparently ordered an inquiry into the accident and medical evacuation operation.