A geological and urban emergency was declared in the city of Comodoro Rivadavia following the collapse of Hermitte Hill, which led to mass evacuations and extensive operations. Authorities have closed the affected perimeter for at least 48 hours, as the ground "continues to move" and poses an urban risk. This weekend, residents of the Sismográfica, Marquesado, and Los Tilos neighborhoods in the Km. 3 area were affected by the surprising collapse of Hermitte Hill, which in some cases caused houses to be split in two due to ground movements or falling earth. On Sunday evening, given the situation, the recess commission of the Comodoro Rivadavia Deliberative Council declared a geological and urban emergency for 90 days "with the aim of implementing the necessary actions to mitigate the risks derived from soil instability in the area." In turn, it was authorized that the Municipal Executive Branch may carry out "budget restructurings, transfers of items, and the use of freely available funds that are necessary to cover the expenditures demanded by the present emergency, as well as to manage financial assistance before provincial, national, or international bodies, in accordance with current regulations." Regarding the Contingency Plan, accessed by the Argentine News Agency, it is highlighted that the population at risk must be safely and orderly evacuated, "guaranteeing temporary lodging, basic assistance, health coverage, and security for a period of 30 days, minimizing social and health risks." Likewise, the start of four phases was indicated: Phase 1 (Day 0-1): activation of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), rapid census, and prioritized evacuation. Phase 2 (Day 1-3): relocation, lodging, and initial assistance. Phase 3 (Day 4-10): stabilization, health monitoring, and security. Phase 4 (Day 11-15): technical assessment and decision-making on return or extension. In recent hours, a press conference was also held by Intendant Othar Macharashvili, accompanied by the Vice Intendant, Maximiliano Sampaoli; the Secretary of Human Development and Family, Ángel Rivas; the Head of the Active Volunteer Firefighters Corps, Commander José Ayamilla; the geologist from the Department of Geology of the National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco, José Paredes; members of the Municipal Cabinet, councilors, and provincial technical teams. In this context, the city's head highlighted that the collapse in the sector was already being observed by technical teams, stating that "fortunately we have no victims to regret, due to the previous work and the responsibility of the neighbors who carried out self-evacuations. We have been and will continue to be by the side of the neighbors, supporting and assisting them." In turn, geologist José Paredes from the Department of Geology of the National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco explained that "the phenomenon corresponds to a large-scale landslide, unprecedented in the area. From the first moment, we activated the Crisis Committee and the protocol that was being worked on. The process is not completely stabilized and it is not possible to predict its evolution in the short term," while adding that "the most important thing is to avoid human losses."
