BREAKING: Irish woman killed in avalanche on Argentinian mountain, reports claim

An Irish woman was killed in an avalanche on a mountain in west Argentina on Wednesday, according to local reports.

Argentine news site La Nacion reported that the Irish tourist on a skiing trip in the province of Río Negro near the Argentina-Chile border, when an avalanche struck her and two others on the Cerro López mountain.

The Cerro López is popular with trekkers and skiers and is located in the Nahuel Huapi National Park.

The woman, whose identity is not yet known, was tragically killed in the natural disaster, while a man was injured and another is reported missing.

Spokesmen for the rescue committee of a local mountaineering group, Club Andino Bariloche, told media that the Irish tourist died as a result of the avalanche, and that the survivor, who had not been identified, was from Argentina. The other missing man is also Argentine, but no further details of his identity were released.

The survivor who was treated and brought down from the mountain was suffering from hypothermia, and was unable to provide information about his companions.

Local Civil Defense confirmed to media that the search operation, which was suspended late last night, involved a local mountaineering group Club Andino Bariloche, the Military Mountain School, police and firefighters. The rescue is expected to continue today.

Some 20 people were involved in the search, which is expected to continue shortly.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said that they are aware of the case, and stand ready to provide consular assistance.

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