Latest news with #ChileanAntarctic
NDTV
08-07-2025
- NDTV
19-Year-Old American Pilot Detained In Antarctica For Landing Without Permission
A 19-year-old American pilot, attempting to fly solo across all seven continents, has been detained after going off course and landing in Antarctica without permission. According to CNN, Chilean authorities stopped Ethan Guo after he broke "multiple national and international regulations" by changing his flight plans without prior notice. He reportedly landed on a part of Antarctica where Chile maintains a territorial claim. His deviation from the plan in the air "activated alert protocols," said Chile's General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics in a statement. The 19-year-old, from Memphis, was taken into custody after landing on King George Island, CNN reported. His small Cessna 182 aircraft took off from the city of Punta Arenas, near the southernmost point of Chile, and flew to the island off the Atlantic coast, which is claimed by Chile. Chilean authorities accused Mr Guo of submitting a false flight plan. "The accused provided false information to the aeronautical authority. He submitted a flight plan indicating that he was going to fly over the city of Punta Arenas," said Cristian Crisosto Rifo, the Regional Prosecutor of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, per the BBC. "However, he continued toward Antarctica without informing anyone and without any authorisation, landing at the airfield of Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base in Chilean Antarctic territory. With this behaviour, the accused seriously endangered the safety of air traffic to Antarctica and the Magallanes region," the prosecutor added. Mr Guo has been charged with violating two articles of the country's aeronautical code, including one that could lead to short-term imprisonment. Chile's General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics said that the teen had also allegedly violated the Antarctic Treaty, which regulates international relations with respect to the uninhabited continent. Meanwhile, Mr Guo's lawyer said that the 19-year-old experienced "complications" while flying. "While already in the air, he began to experience a series of complications," Karina Ulloa said, adding that the teen pilot claims "that he was conducting an exploratory flight to see if he could follow this route or not." Notably, Ethan Guo is trying to raise $1 million for cancer research by becoming "the first person ever to fly to all seven continents solo". He has flown his Cessna aircraft to six continents in his journey spanning more than 140 days.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- The Independent
US teen detained carrying out bold plan to fly solo to seven continents
Teenage pilot Ethan Guo, 19, was detained by Chilean authorities after landing in Antarctica without permission. Guo is accused by Chile of submitting a false flight plan, stating he would fly over Punta Arenas but instead proceeding to Antarctica. He was attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents, a journey he began last May. Guo's flight is part of a fundraising effort to raise $1 million for cancer research, prompted by a cousin's Stage-4 blood cancer diagnosis. He was detained at the Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base in Chilean Antarctic territory; his lawyer stated he experienced "complications" during the flight. US teen pilot detained in Antarctica during attempt to fly solo to all seven continents
Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Indian Express
US teen influencer attempts solo flying to 7 continents to raise $1 million for cancer research, detained in Antarctica
Ethan Guo, 19, a social media influencer and pilot from the United States, was recently detained in Chile after allegedly landing in Antarctica without any official approval. Guo is currently attempting a solo mission to fly across all seven continents and raise $1 million for cancer research. According to CNN, Guo departed from Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in Punta Arenas, Chile, aboard a Cessna 182Q, indicating he would only fly over the city. However, he altered his route and landed at Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base, a region claimed by Chile. As per officials, he violated national and international aviation regulations by submitting a false flight plan. 'The accused provided false information to the aeronautical authority. He submitted a flight plan indicating that he was going to fly over the city of Punta Arenas. However, he continued toward Antarctica without informing anyone and without any authorisation, landing at the airfield of Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base in Chilean Antarctic territory,' Cristian Crisosto Rifo, the regional prosecutor for Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, said. 'With this behaviour, the accused seriously endangered the safety of air traffic to Antarctica and the Magallanes region,' he added. Guo has a massive fan following, with over a million followers on Instagram. He gained prominence with his videos capturing his flying journey since September. His last public update was posted on June 23, showing a flight over the Philippines. Following his unauthorised landing, Guo was immediately detained and charged by Chilean authorities. He will now be interrogated for 90 days, during which he is required to remain in Chile. At a press conference, Guo's attorney Karina Ulloa said her client encountered unexpected difficulties mid-flight. 'While already in the air, he began to experience a series of complications. He claims that he was conducting an exploratory flight to see if he could follow this route or not,' she said. Chilean prosecutors argued that the incident is a serious breach of aviation law and a threat to air safety in the region.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Massive offshore quake in rough seas of Drake Passage triggers tsunami alerts for parts of South America
PUNTA ARENAS, Chile -- A large 7.4 earthquake rattled the waters off South America in one of the world's roughest ocean passages Friday, triggering fears of a tsunami and coastal evacuations. The quake struck about 272 miles south of Chile's Punta Arenas area and about 135 miles south of Ushuria in the area known as Drake's Passage just before 9 a.m. ET, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. While the quake was estimated to be too small to trigger worldwide tsunami alerts, NOAA's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did issue a tsunami threat message for the coast of Chile within about 200 miles of the epicenter before giving the all clear around noon ET. "Tsunami waves have been observed," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in its 11:35 a.m. ET update. Anomalous waves of just under a half foot were recorded at a gauge near the Vernadsky Research Facility in Antarctica. Models indicated waves could reach as high as 3-9 feet above tide level along coastal Chile, while smaller waves of 1-3 feet were possible along some coasts of Antarctica, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. However, officials determined the threat had passed by noon ET and all alerts were canceled. Videos posted to social media showed tsunami sirens sounding in the Puerto Williams area in the minutes after the quake, as Chile's National Disaster Prevention and Response Service issued evacuation notices along the coastal sectors of the Magallenes region. It also told people to abandon all beach areas in the Chilean Antarctic territory, issuing a Red Alert and mobilizing government emergency response efforts. Government officials said they evacuated over 1,800 people from the shorelines. There are no initial reports of any damage or article source: Massive offshore quake in rough seas of Drake Passage triggers tsunami alerts for parts of South America
02-05-2025
- Climate
7.4 magnitude quake strikes off Chile, Argentina; no damage reported
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes off the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina, the United States Geological Survey says SANTIAGO, Chile -- An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck off the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina on Friday, prompting the evacuation of the Chilean coastline throughout the Magallanes region and the suspension of water activities and navigation in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province. No damage or casualties were initially reported. The United States Geological Survey said the quake's epicenter was under the ocean 219 kilometers (173 miles) south of the Argentine city of Ushuaia. Chilean authorities issued an evacuation alert for the entire coastal section of the Strait of Magellan, in the far south of the country. Due to a 'tsunami alert, evacuation to a safe zone is being ordered for the coastal sectors of the Magallanes region,' Chile's National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response said in a message sent to the public. It also requested that all beach areas in the Chilean Antarctic territory be abandoned. Chilean President Gabriel Boric wrote on X that 'all resources are available' to respond to potential emergencies. 'We are calling for the evacuation of the coastline throughout the Magallanes region," Boric wrote. 'Right now, our duty is to be prepared and heed the authorities.' In Punta Arenas, located in Chilean Patagonia and on the Strait of Magellan, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the streets quickly filled with residents searching for shelters, according to images broadcast on local television. Many of them were carrying bags. The evacuation proceeded calmly and without panic. 'We received the alert and we had to evacuate at work, but people are calm and well prepared,' Roberto Ramírez told the 24-hour channel. The Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy, or SHOA, reported that waves could reach Antarctica as early as next hour, while it could take up to 12 hours to reach more remote locations. In the Argentine city of Ushuaia, considered the world's southernmost, local authorities suspended all types of water activities and navigation in the Beagle Channel for at least three hours. No material damage or evacuations were reported. 'The earthquake was felt primarily in the city of Ushuaia and, to a lesser extent, in towns across the province,' the local government reported. 'In the face of these types of events, it is important to remain calm.' ____ Débora Rey in Buenos Aires contributed. ____ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
