Overview
- A slab avalanche struck Cerro Crestón near Lago del Desierto around midday on Tuesday and carried the pair an estimated 400 metres downhill before they were located.
- Rescuers were alerted by an emergency beacon signal received about 12:45, and teams from Parques Nacionales, Gendarmería (GEAM), provincial agencies and local guides reached the scene after hours of travel on foot.
- Juliette Agathe Elena Willmann, 29, was found buried about 1.5 metres deep without vital signs and was later pronounced dead after CPR was attempted under medical guidance.
- Her partner, reported as Pierre Gabriel / Pierre‑Idris Mehdi (about 30), was rescued alive, treated on site and evacuated to local health services and is reported to be out of danger.
- Authorities say the avalanche was a plate‑type (corte de placa) release; Gendarmería Nacional completed the rescue phase and remains in charge of formal diligences while the case draws international attention because of the victim’s professional ski background.