Second victim identified in RS bus accident that overturned in the Atacama Desert, in Chile | Rio Grande do Sul

The victim’s identity was confirmed by the family, on social media, and by Poço das Antas City Hall.

The bus overturned, on Thursday night (27), on a Chilean road that connects Paso Jama, on the country’s border with Argentina, to San Pedro do Atacama. The vehicle, which had left Lajeado, was carrying 42 people.

According to Diego Pegorara, owner of the tourism company responsible for the trip, 10 people are still in the hospital, but the health status of the tourists has not been disclosed. The expectation is that the 30 tourists who were discharged will embark from Sunday (28) to Brazil.

Gaúcha dies in tourist bus accident in Chile

The bus left Lajeado with 42 passengers — 39 tourists, a guide and two drivers. The tour had already passed through Salta and Jujuy, in Argentina, and continued on to São Pedro do Atacama, in Chile, where the tourists would stay for two nights and then return to Rio Grande do Sul. Arrival in Lajeado was scheduled for Monday (29).

On Friday (26), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had confirmed the deaths of two Brazilian women. The Consulate General in Santiago monitors the situation and provides assistance to Brazilians.

“The Brazilian government conveys its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and wishes the injured a full recovery. Brazil also thanks the collaboration of the competent Chilean authorities”, says Itamaraty, in a note.

Professor Elenice Terezinha Mezzomo Preto was traveling with her husband, who suffered minor injuries. According to one of her sons, Pedro Augusto Mezzomo Preto, the couple was part of a tourist excursion that left Lajeado, in the Taquari Valley, heading to the Chilean region of Atacama on Tuesday (23).

“They called me that something had happened to the bus. My father informed me that my mother had passed away and the bus had suffered an accident. But we don’t know what happened in detail,” said Pedro.