Overview
- The rockfall occurred Thursday afternoon in the southeast sector of Villa Puente del Inca, and Teniente Coronel Mauro Salari reported no injuries or damage to nearby houses.
- Authorities and local media say intense rain and snowfall in the high mountains caused the detachment and forecasts of continued precipitation raise the chance of more falls as temperatures change.
- The Argentina–Chile Sistema Integrado Cristo Redentor crossing remains closed for safety, internal travel is allowed only up to Las Cuevas, and officials will reassess route conditions on Saturday morning.
- The fall produced a visible dust cloud that alarmed residents and prompted military and local teams to monitor slopes closely while advising caution for anyone traveling in high-mountain sectors.
- Puente del Inca is a natural monument about 180 kilometers from the city of Mendoza where mountain weather often destabilizes slopes, so the closure could prolong cross-border transport delays and affect local tourism until conditions improve.