Tourist is killed by huge block of ice as it falls 50ft onto him as he enters Argentinian cave
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Horrifying moment tourist is killed by huge block of ice as it falls 50ft onto him as he enters frozen Argentinian cave
- Brazilian man entered the mouth of the Jimbo Cave in the Andorra Valley
- He ignored signs warning tourists to stay away for their own safety
- A huge chunk of ice broke off and smashed down on him, killing him instantly
A tourist has been killed after a huge block of ice broke off a frozen cave and smashed down onto his head in Argentina.
The Brazilian man was exploring the Jimbo Cave in the Andorra Valley when he was stuck by the ice which fell from a height of 50ft.
Another hiker was filming at the moment tragedy struck, as they ignored signs warning them to stay away from the off-limits area for their own safety.
A tourist has been killed after a huge block of ice broke off a frozen cave and smashed down onto his head in Argentina
The Brazilian man was exploring the Jimbo Cave in the Andorra Valley when he was stuck by the ice which fell from a height of 50ft
Footage shows the unnamed victim walking towards the mouth of the cave, an opening under a glacier, as one of his companions warned him to take care.
Some members of the group appeared to stop and heed his warning momentarily before moving forward again, but the one at the front seemed to pay no attention and carried on walking towards the cave while recording it on his mobile phone.
Suddenly the ice roof cracked and a huge chunk plummeted to the ground directly on top of the explorer.
The man who had been filming their approach to the cave immediately dropped his camera as he warned colleagues to turn back and avoid any more falling blocks of ice.
Footage shows the unnamed victim walking towards the mouth of the cave, an opening under a glacier, as one of his companions warned him to take care
The man who had been filming 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 by the time first responders arrived on foot following a six-mile hike to reach the scene.
The six people hiking with him are expected to be questioned by police in the coming hours before an autopsy takes place once the man’s body is taken to Ushuaia.
An investigating judge has been placed in charge of an ongoing probe into the incident.
The spot where the tragedy occurred is part of the Tierra del Fuego National Park, a national park on the Argentine part of the island of Tierra del Fuego.
It was the first shoreline national park to be established in Argentina.
Local authorities sounded warnings about the dangers of going near the Jimbo Cave, Cueva de Jimbo in Spanish, after studies showing it was risk of collapse.
A year earlier rescue workers had reminded visitors access to the cave was prohibited for safety reasons.