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Chile: Air intoxication in Iberia craft
Chile and Argentina coordinate Antarctic operations.

Air intoxication in Iberia craft

Chilean Civil Aviation authorities have formally requested their Spanish counterpart to begin an official inquiry into the carbon monoxide intoxication of several passengers in an Iberia flight from Madrid to Santiago de Chile.

"We've sent all the details we collected at this end to the Spanish Civil Aviation Agency. The aircraft involved belongs to Iberia and it's the responsibility of the Spanish authorities to check and monitor their aircraft", said Mr. Pablo Ortega spokesperson for the Chilean authorities.

A total of seven passengers have proven intoxicated with carbon monoxide in the Madrid flight that arrived in Santiago Sunday June 29. Two of them fainted a few hours after leaving Madrid and during the following days in Santiago the other five had to be hospitalized. Blood samples indicated high concentrations of carbon monoxide.

Three of the passengers remained in hospital this last Sunday and the seven are consulting solicitors to initiate legal action against Iberia.

The aircraft was an Airbus 340, which arrived with 240 passengers aboard and returned a few hours later to Madrid but apparently with no cases reported in the return flight.

Chilean and Argentine Armies representatives holding a Chiefs of Staff regular meeting in Punta Arenas decided the coordination of Antarctic scientific and environment operations particularly in the area of the O'Higgins and Esperanza bases.

The tow bases are relatively close to each other and have a long history of cooperation and sharing experiences.

One of the first steps in that direction is the joint building of a refuge, to be named "Maipú" that is located mid way the 100 kilometer that separates both bases.

"The refuge will help protect our staff working in the area and will be very useful for geological exploration", said Argentine Colonel Hugo Casela who was posted several years in Río Gallegos and was twice commander of the Esperanza base.

Other joint enterprises include the climbing of Mount Vinson, Antarctica's highest peak and an expedition to the South Pole beginning in Patriot Hills.

Although no date was given for these events, Chilean Colonel Hernán Oyarguren Guerrero said that "we're already planning both expeditions and selecting personnel that will be jointly trained".