MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean Army de-mining fields bordering the Magellan Strait

De-mining operations are very dangerous and costly

Chile’s Army demining team announced last week the clearance of 5.799 mines in the north of Tierra del Fuego next to the so called Primera Angostura (First Narrow) of the Magellan Strait.

“The area where we are working is clearly signalled, fenced and mapped but nevertheless is dangerous. So far we have been able to neutralize 5.7999 antipersonnel mines following on Chile’s adherence to United Nations standards and the Ottawa convention”, said Captain Christian Wheeler Damianovic commander of the demining unit belonging to Chile’s V Army Division, Pudeto Regiment.

The mined fields in southern Chile date back to the late seventies when Argentina and Chile almost went to war over the dispute of islands in the Beagle channel. The conflict was stopped at last moment by Pope John Paul II in December 1978.

The Chilean Army has been involved in de-mining operations in the area since 2006. They are currently working at neighbouring areas to Primera Angostura, identified as Bahía Azul and faro Méndez.

“We have thirty men working in those fields, following both manual and mechanical procedures”, said Captain Wheeler.

The following chapter of the demining task will apparently involve the Province of Ultima Esperanza, particularly the road leading from Puerto Natales to the world famous Torres del Paine Park, an area running parallel to the Argentine border.

Precisely that was the request from the Ultima Esperanza Chamber of Tourism to the new governor Max Salas.

“The existence of mined fields in the province not only endangers the lives of residents and visitors but is also a very negative image for foreign tourists”, said the Chamber.

Apparently there are seven mined fields in the province, particularly four along Route 9 which connects with Torres del Paine Park. However the explosives buried are anti-tank mines and the Chilean government is giving priority to anti-personnel mines.

“We believe it is a high risk area since fields are next to the route which has significant traffic between Puerto Natales and Tores del Paine”, insisted the Chamber of Tourism