MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Andes tragedy: 10,000 US dollars compensation

The Chilean Army said Monday it would compensate families with 10,000 US dollars for each of the soldiers frozen to death belonging to a company marching in the Andes and who were exposed to a sudden, fierce blizzard.

The death toll Monday stood at 26 with 19 still missing but presumed dead.

In spite of heavy snow and winds Army rescue patrols with the help of helicopters continued the round the clock search.

Patrols have concentrated in an area near the dormant Antuco volcano, east of the city of Los Angeles, where the tragedy occurred and seat of the 17th Mountain Regiment.

Army Commander in Chile General Juan Emilio Cheyre, in announcing the compensation, also said each family would receive a lifetime monthly pension equivalent to 450 US dollars.

With the exception of a sergeant whose body was found Sunday, all the deceased are 18/19 year old voluntary conscripts.

Relatives are accusing Chilean Army's officers of disregarding weather forecasts and allegedly abandoning the ill-equipped soldiers in the Andes slopes. Soldiers' loss of life has also triggered a national debate in Chile on the draft.