An 8-year-old boy from France was rescued after falling into a volcanic crater around 100 meters deep in the Los Gemelos complex on Santa Cruz Island, part of the Galapagos archipelago. The incident was confirmed in a statement from the Galapagos National Park and highlighted as one of the island’s most challenging rescue episodes in recent memory. The Los Gemelos twin craters are a popular stop for visitors exploring this central island, which is the most populous in the archipelago and a focal point for ecotourism in Ecuador. Firefighters, park rangers, and local emergency teams coordinated a careful retrieval operation, drawing on specialized rope and ascent techniques to reach the bottom and stabilize the child before transporting him to safety. The event underscores the unpredictable nature of crater terrain and the imperative of trained rescue crews when accidents occur in remote, rugged settings. The boy remains under medical observation after being taken to a hospital in Puerto Ayora for evaluation and treatment of head and facial injuries, with authorities describing the patient’s condition as stable as the team continues to monitor his progress. The rapid response by firefighters, police, park personnel, and health workers, alongside the support of volunteers, helped pull the child from the depths and ensure he received immediate care on site and during the transfer. The incident is being reviewed by park officials to strengthen safety measures for visitors and to better prepare for similar emergencies in the future. (Galapagos National Park, 2024)
Authorities noted that several factors contributed to the complexity of the rescue, including the crater’s depth and the loose terrain around the rim. Rescue teams worked through difficult conditions, including variable weather and the need to maintain patient safety while coordinating air and ground transport. The successful extraction was accomplished thanks to the collaboration of multiple agencies, including emergency medical technicians, police units, and regional health authorities, all of whom have experience handling high-risk field rescues in remote locations. The operation also involved careful communication with the boy’s family, who were kept informed throughout the process. Medical staff at the Puerto Ayora hospital provided immediate post-rescue care, focusing on monitoring for potential head trauma and facial injuries, and arranging follow-up evaluations as needed. As responders filed the final details, officials credited the swift mobilization and clear chain of command for preventing a more severe outcome. The rescue of the boy marks another high-profile incident in the archipelago this week, when a separate visitor from North America sustained a shark bite while snorkeling near Mosquera Islet, drawing attention to the ongoing need for vigilance and safety training for travelers exploring Galapagos waters. (Galapagos National Park, 2024)
Located roughly a thousand kilometers west of continental Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands hold an enduring place in global natural heritage. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978, the archipelago is renowned for its unique biodiversity and relatively pristine ecosystems, which attract researchers, conservationists, and millions of visitors each year. The area is also recognized as a major marine reserve, one of the largest of its kind worldwide, reflecting decades of conservation efforts. These attributes position the Galapagos as a premier destination for nature-based tourism while emphasizing the importance of safety protocols, ranger patrols, and visitor education to minimize incidents within and around the volcanic landscapes that define much of the archipelago. Authorities repeatedly stress that while visitors are drawn to the islands for their extraordinary wildlife and landscapes, they must respect the rugged terrain and follow established guidelines to ensure personal safety and ecological protection. The Galapagos chapter continues to serve as a vivid reminder that adventure in such environments requires preparation, awareness, and the competence of trained responders to meet emergencies with speed and precision. (Galapagos National Park, 2024)