Chilean troops die in Antarctica

Earlier this month two Argentines fell into a crevasse

Three Chilean soldiers whose snow vehicle fell into a deep crevasse in the Antarctic on Wednesday have been found dead, officials say.

They had been on patrol near a Chilean base, when their Snowcat vehicle fell into the 40m (130ft) hole that had been covered by a coating of snow.

Rescuers had to prise open the roof of the Snowcat to recover the bodies of the three men trapped inside.

Four others had managed to climb out of the vehicle and were pulled to safety.

The Chilean rescue operation was carried out with the assistance of the Argentine army, which abandoned efforts to find two Argentines who fell into a much deeper crevasse more than a week ago.