Authorities in Puebla have launched a search and rescue operation for 12 missing mountaineers on the Citlaltépetl volcano (Pico de Orizaba) after a report was received via the 911 emergency number.
The efforts are focused in the municipality of Tlachichuca and are ongoing, reported the head of the Puebla State Public Security Secretariat, Francisco Sánchez González.
During a press conference, he stated that the operation is being conducted jointly with the General Coordination of Civil Protection, under the command of Colonel Bernabé López Santos, with the participation of the National Guard, State Police, and Forest Police.
He noted that the law enforcement agencies organized immediately upon receiving the report and that they now have leads that could help locate the individuals.
“We are conducting a search in the vicinity of Tlachichuca,” he indicated, and specified that a helicopter will be deployed to reinforce the tasks in the area.
The official explained that the objective is to locate and, if necessary, rescue the 12 reported mountaineers.
“We hope they are found safe, but we are carrying out the search,” he added.
He further stated that any updates on the information will be provided as the work progresses.
Meanwhile, in a social media statement, the Puebla State General Coordination of Civil Protection detailed that the report came from mountaineers who had apparently lost their orientation while descending from Citlaltépetl and managed to share their last known coordinates before communication was lost.
The state agency indicated that, in addition to security corporations and municipal authorities of Tlachichuca, local volunteer guides have joined the efforts to delimit the probable location area and carry out search and rescue tasks according to emergency protocols for high-altitude situations.
In December, high-altitude activities involve additional risks due to weather conditions. According to the climate report from the National Water Commission, today, cold front number 21 is creating a scenario of rain and wind gusts in various regions, factors that can reduce visibility and complicate ascent, descent, and rescue operations.