A 58-year-old Uruguayan man missing in the Andes since May has been found alive by border police near Barreal in Argentina's San Juan province.
Raul Fernando Gomez Cincunegui survived on sugar, raisins and food that was in mountain huts in the Andes mountains. He also hunted rats with a homemade trap, according to his rescuers.
Gomez Cincuengui lost 20 kilograms and was severely dehydrated, but was otherwise in good condition, doctors treating him at a hospital in San Juan, Argentina, said. He was transported to the hospital Sunday by helicopter after the border police found him in the valley of Los Patos Sur, which has an elevation of 4500 metres, state news agency Telam said.
The Uruguayan citizen was greeted at the airport by the governor of the San Juan district, Jose Luis Gioia, who described the return of Gomez Cincuengui as a "miracle" survival.
Gomez Cincunegui's odyssey began on May 11 when he travelled from Argentina into Chile on his motorcycle. On his return trip, the motorcycle broke down and he decided to set out on foot. He asked his wife to report him missing if she didn't hear from him within a week. He apparently lost his orientation during two snow storms.
