A man desperate to see and hug his elderly father living alone on the other side of the border between Argentina and Chile that is closed for two years because of COVID restrictions has died after trying to swim across a river.

Santiago Foitzick Arias, 55, was a civil servant in the town of Los Antiguos, in the southwestern Argentine province of Santa Cruz.

Santiago was reportedly trying to get to Chile to see his 80-year-old father who lives alone but drowned in the attempt and his body was found on the shore on Sunday, November 28th.

Chile’s councillor Chico Mario Figueroa said: “Today I must say with great sadness that we regret the loss of a friend. He just wanted to hug his old man. Enough of protocols and laws, please let us be people again, that is what I humbly ask the authorities.”

His death has reportedly provoked commotion from local people both in Chile and Argentina, demanding the borders be reopened after almost two years of closure due to the pandemic.

An organisation called ‘We want to see our family’s” which is made up of both Chileans and Argentines released a statement in which it said: “It is inhumane and unjust that the borders remain closed. The desperation leads people to try and cross over illegally to be able to see and look after their family members.”

In normal circumstances, the residents of Chile and Argentina can pass in and out of the countries by air or land without permission.

However, since 16th March 2020, the border of Argentina has been closed except for commercial reasons and no non-resident is allowed to enter.