A fire truck from the Sixth Company of Panguipulli fell approximately 50 meters into a ravine in the precordilleran area of the Los Ríos region. The incident occurred while the unit was responding to a reported structural fire in a rural sector near the locality of Liquiñe.
Emergency Response and Circumstances
The vehicle involved has been identified as the BF-6 unit. Preliminary information suggests that the emergency call may have been false. The unit reportedly encountered a truck that obstructed its path, an event that contributed to the vehicle overturning in the ravine.
Five volunteers sustained injuries during the accident. According to reports from Carabineros, the affected individuals are currently considered to be out of life-threatening danger.
“We want to transmit tranquility to the families and the community. The Fire Department is deploying the necessary logistical support for the care of those affected, while fully guaranteeing the continuity of service and the operational response in the commune,”
The Panguipulli Fire Department stated that emergency and medical assistance protocols were activated immediately to ensure the protection of their personnel.
Medical Care and Ongoing Support
The emergency response has required assistance from multiple agencies, including the presence of firefighters from Valdivia and a requested ambulance from the Osorno Fire Department. Medical care for the volunteers is being managed across several facilities.
Initially, all injured firefighters received urgent medical attention at the Cescof in Liquiñe to achieve stabilization. Subsequently, three volunteers were evacuated to the Servicio de Alta Resolutividad (SAR) in Panguipulli for more detailed medical evaluations.
A possible next step for the patients is a technical transfer to the Clínica Alemana de Valdivia. This move is being evaluated to ensure the effective coverage of the institution’s accident insurance for their definitive treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many volunteers were injured in the accident?
At least five volunteers from the Sixth Company of Panguipulli were injured when the BF-6 unit fell into the ravine.
Are the injured firefighters in critical condition?
No, according to information provided by Carabineros, the affected volunteers are out of life-threatening danger.
What is being done to ensure emergency services continue in Panguipulli?
The Panguipulli Fire Department has stated that they are deploying logistical support to care for the affected members while fully guaranteeing the continuity of their operational response in the commune.
How can communities better support the safety of volunteer first responders in high-risk terrain?
Worth a look