Terrible moment Tourist is killed by giant block of ice as it falls 50ft on him as he enters frozen Argentinean cave
- A Brazilian entered the mouth of Jimbo Cave in the Andorra Valley
- He ignored signs telling tourists to stay away for their own safety
- A huge chunk of ice broke off and smashed him, killing him instantly
A tourist has been killed in Argentina after a huge block of ice broke off a frozen cave and slammed onto his head.
The Brazilian was exploring Jimbo Cave in the Andorra Valley when he was hit by ice falling from 50ft.
Another hiker was filming the moment the tragedy happened as he ignored signs warning him to stay clear of the restricted area for his own safety.
A tourist has been killed in Argentina after a huge block of ice broke off a frozen cave and slammed onto his head
The Brazilian was exploring Jimbo Cave in the Andorra Valley when he was hit by ice falling from 50ft
Footage shows the unnamed victim walking toward the cave’s entrance, an opening beneath a glacier, when one of his companions warned him to be careful.
A few members of the group seemed to stop briefly and heed his warning before moving forward again, but the one in the lead seemed to pay no heed and continued toward the cave while recording it on his phone.
Suddenly the ice roof broke and a huge chunk fell straight onto the Explorer.
The man who filmed their approach to the cave immediately dropped his camera as he warned colleagues to turn back and avoid further falling blocks of ice.
Footage shows the unnamed victim walking toward the cave’s entrance, an opening beneath a glacier, when one of his companions warned him to be careful
The man who filmed their approach to the cave immediately dropped his camera as he warned colleagues to turn back
Emergency services were alerted around 5pm local time, but the tourist was already dead when first responders arrived after a six-mile hike to the scene.
The six people hiking with him are expected to be questioned by police in the coming hours before an autopsy will take place once the man’s body is taken to Ushuaia.
An investigating magistrate has been tasked with the ongoing investigation into the incident.
The place where the tragedy happened is part of Tierra del Fuego National Park, a national park on the Argentine part of Tierra del Fuego island.
It was the first coastal national park established in Argentina.
Local authorities warned of the dangers of approaching Jimbo Cave, Cueva de Jimbo in Spanish, after studies showed there was a risk of collapse.
A year earlier, rescue workers had reminded visitors that access to the cave was prohibited for safety reasons.