A RESCUE TEAM WAS CONDUCTING EXERCISES IN VALLUNARAJU, PERU, WHEN A MASS OF ICE BROKE OFF.

FROM TRAINING TO REALITY: An Unexpected Avalanche in Vallunaraju, Peru

What began as a routine rescue training session quickly turned into a real-life emergency. In the breathtaking yet treacherous heights of Vallunaraju, Peru, a group of professional rescuers were conducting ice and snow drills, practicing maneuvers that one hopes are never needed—but must always be ready for.

Suddenly, nature took over.

Captured on video is the shocking moment when a massive chunk of ice, possibly weakened by the sun or the internal shifting of the glacier, breaks free from the mountain. What follows is a terrifying yet mesmerizing cascade of ice and snow rushing downhill at alarming speed. The rescuers' shouts pierce the cold mountain air—"¡Súbannos, súbannos! ¡Sube, sube!"—as they scramble to get out of the path of the icefall, a chilling reminder that the mountains never sleep.

This is more than just a video. It’s a raw, real encounter with the unpredictable power of nature. The footage illustrates the thin line between training and survival, between preparedness and the unknown. It also highlights the bravery and instinct of those who risk their lives to save others—how even in the face of imminent danger, their reflexes kick in.

Vallunaraju, a peak known for both its beauty and danger, once again proves that in the high Andes, every second counts. Thankfully, no lives were lost, but the experience left everyone involved shaken—and profoundly aware of the mountain's might.