Three women, aged 33 to 60, died on Sunday, November 1, 2026 in a rafting accident on the Maipo River in San José de Maipo, in the Santiago Metropolitan Region. Chile's Undersecretariat of Tourism and the national tourism service, Sernatur, said preliminary information indicates it was "a private family activity and not a service hired from a rafting company," and that the group appears to have entered the river at a point not authorized for rafting, according to 24horas and La Tercera.
The accident happened around 14:00 near the San Alfonso bridge. The PDI police homicide unit (BH Sur) is investigating on the prosecutor's orders. Viajando Chile extends its condolences to the families. This article summarizes what the authorities have reported and what visitors should check before booking a river descent.
What is known about the Maipo River accident
| Detail | Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Date and place | Sunday, November 1, 2026, around 14:00, Maipo River, San Alfonso bridge area (San José de Maipo) | Página 7, Radio Agricultura |
| Victims | Three women aged 33 to 60 | BioBioChile |
| People on the raft | 13, including 5 minors aged 10 to 17 | Cordillera Provincial Delegation, via 24horas |
| Permitted capacity | 6 occupants, under the municipal ordinance | Cordillera Provincial Delegation, via 24horas |
| Type of activity | Private family outing; the raft belonged to a family group, not a company | Subturismo and Sernatur; Cordillera Delegation |
| Guide | A member of the same family group, accompanied by a kayaker | Sernatur, via 24horas |
| Entry point | An area not authorized for rafting (preliminary) | Subturismo and Sernatur |
| Equipment | They wore life jackets and helmets | Cordillera Provincial Delegation |
| Investigation | PDI homicide unit (BH Sur), on the prosecutor's orders | Página 7 |
Sernatur referred to a group of 14, while the Cordillera provincial presidential delegate, María Angélica Villadangos, said 13 people were on the raft. According to the delegate, "the raft did not capsize, it stopped and that is when they were thrown out"; she called the excess of occupants "a tremendous irresponsibility." Eight people were injured, none critically, according to 24horas and Página 7. Deputy prefect Robert Briones, head of BH Sur, said the river flow, the raft and the life jackets are being examined to establish any liability.
The Cajón del Maipo Rafting Companies Association said the raft "was not operated by any of the companies that are part of this Association" and that its certified guides and rescue kayakers helped in the search alongside GOPE, firefighters and Carabineros police, Teletrece reported.
The "Safe Tourism" bill after the Maipo River tragedy
Deputy Macarena Santelices (independent-UDI, District 12) announced she will file a "Safe Tourism" bill, with eight other deputies pledging support, according to Radio Agricultura and G5noticias. "Putting others at risk through irresponsibility must have consequences," she said. The text has not yet been formally filed, so its details are not known.
| Announced pillars of the Safe Tourism bill | Status |
|---|---|
| Strengthen prevention and safety requirements for operators | Announced, no text filed |
| Establish liability for negligent conduct | Announced, no text filed |
| Protect rescuers and volunteers | Announced, no text filed |
| Debate the use of public resources in avoidable emergencies | Announced, no text filed |
Source: Radio Agricultura and G5noticias, November 1, 2026. The pillars come from the announcement; the bill will be known in detail once it is filed in the Chamber of Deputies.
What Chilean law requires of rafting operators
Chile's Tourism Law 20,423 requires adventure tourism providers to register in Sernatur's Tourism Services Registry (article 34) and to meet the official Chilean safety standards for each activity, according to the Maritime Authority. In July 2026, Sernatur's Exempt Resolution 271 updated the technical standards for the 15 regulated adventure activities, replacing rules nearly 20 years old, Radio Agricultura reported. A family outing with its own equipment, like the one on November 1, is not a tourism service and is not covered by that registry.
| Requirement | What it is | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Sernatur registration | Mandatory registration of adventure tourism providers (Law 20,423, art. 34) | Sernatur Tourism Services Registry |
| Technical safety standards | Standards per activity, updated by Exempt Resolution 271 of 2026 | Sernatur |
| Municipal ordinance | In San José de Maipo, a limit of 6 occupants per raft, according to the delegation | San José de Maipo municipality |
| Certified guides | Guides and safety kayakers with accredited training | The operator must prove it |
Do you run an adventure tourism company registered with Sernatur? Reach travelers looking for formal operators.
See advertising optionsWhat to check before booking rafting in Cajón del Maipo
- Book only formal providers listed in Sernatur's registry, as its Adventure Tourism Tourist Guide recommends.
- Ask about the guide's certification and whether safety kayakers come along.
- Check the equipment: a well-fitted life jacket, helmet and wetsuit if the water is cold.
- Respect the raft's occupant limit and the minimum age set by the operator.
- Insist on the safety briefing before boarding and ask which section you will run and its difficulty.
- Ask about the river flow: in spring, snowmelt makes the river stronger.
If you plan to visit the area, see our guide to things to do in Cajón del Maipo and our safety tips for tourists in Chile.
Frequently asked questions
What happened on the Maipo River on November 1, 2026?
A raft belonging to a family group crashed near the San Alfonso bridge and three women died. According to Sernatur, it was not a hired tourism service.
Is rafting in Cajón del Maipo safe?
The activity is regulated: operators must register with Sernatur and meet technical safety standards. The official advice is to book only formal providers.
How can I tell if a rafting company is registered?
By checking Sernatur's Tourism Services Registry, where adventure tourism providers must be listed.
What does the Safe Tourism bill propose?
According to Deputy Santelices's announcement, stronger prevention and safety requirements, liability for negligence and protection for rescuers. The text has not been filed yet.
