Ecuadorian authorities have confirmed that a female university student from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, died on the 2nd after being struck by a large block of ice while climbing an active volcano in the region.
The victim was 22-year-old Kendall, who, along with seven others, was led by a tour guide from a travel agency to climb Cotopaxi Volcano in the Andes on the 2nd. When they reached an altitude of 5,400 meters, a massive ice chunk “about the size of a car” suddenly fell. Kendall was unable to dodge it and was fatally struck.
The University of Calgary stated that Kendall had just completed her degree in chemical engineering with a minor in petroleum engineering. She was also an outstanding track and field athlete.
Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment said that after investigating the incident, it confirmed that both the travel agency and the tour guide held valid licenses, and believe the incident did not involve any human negligence.
The Sing Tao Daily here quoted Marin, director of the Cotopaxi Provincial Environmental Department, as saying that such accidents are not common.
Local police are investigating the incident. According to figures provided by Ecuadorian authorities, about 12,000 people climb Cotopaxi Volcano each year, 70% of whom are amateur hikers, and the remaining 30% are professional mountaineers.