UFO Chile

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Chile
Issue Date: January 1968
Content Focus: This issue of UFO Chile presents a collection of spectacular and unusual cases of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and aerial phenomena reported in Chile, primarily focusing on events from 1966 and 1967, but also including historical accounts from 1947.

OVNI Sobre el Estrecho de Magallanes

This section details a sighting near Fuerte Bulnes on March 31, 1966. Army Lieutenant Luis Carmona reported observing a flying object for two hours shortly after 3 AM. The object, described as a ball of fire, emitted powerful orange and yellow lights that appeared and disappeared. It hovered and balanced in one spot, even moving in a constant oscillation. The object departed at high speed. This was reportedly the second time army personnel at Fuerte Bulnes had witnessed such an event. The information was provided to 'El Mercurio'.

Platillos Voladores Avistados en Cercanías de Fuerte Bulnes

Another report from the vicinity of Fuerte Bulnes describes strange celestial bodies observed by residents of Ensenada Bulnes in the early morning. Despite inquiries with official sources from the Army, Air Force, and Navy, no further details were obtained. Witnesses reported the objects changing location and emitting luminous flashes, disappearing eastward. The phenomenon was observed around 3:30 AM.

Casos Chilenos de 1967

This section compiles several cases from 1967.

Case No. 7 (Continued): Baquedano Incident

This case, originating from Baquedano, involved a potential aircraft crash or strange phenomenon that mobilized the FACH, Carabineros, and journalists. Reports circulated about a falling aircraft seen in flames near Lomas Bayas. A FACH reconnaissance flight using B-26 planes was conducted. Carabineros also organized a patrol. Witnesses, including a train driver and his assistant, reported seeing a large, green and reddish luminous object with a long trajectory. The assistant train driver described it as possibly a plane in flames or a flying disc, noting it was too large to be a meteor and not an electrical storm effect.

Case No. 8: Discos Voladores Sobre Santiago

On May 19, 1967, Rodolfo Ortega, an aeronautics professor at Tobalaba aerodrome, along with a group of aviation students, observed a fantastic luminous object over Santiago. Described as white and brilliant, with double the radiance of Venus, it remained stationary for 15 minutes before moving rapidly towards the coast, changing color to fiery red. A FACH commander, Leiva, also witnessed the object, stating it was "something" unsettling and unknown.

Case No. 9: OVNI Sobre Cerros de Lo Prado

Juan Argandoña Marcoleta reported observing an OVNI from his home on May 20, 1967. The object was described as elongated, semi-ovoide, and flattened, hovering over the hills of Lo Prado. It then retroceded about a hundred meters, moved south towards the hill, turned an intense red color, and disappeared.

Case No. 10: Discos Voladores en la Zona Norte

On June 16, 1967, a formation of three flying discs was sighted in Mulluri, Tarapacá. Local farmers reported seeing three strange aerial craft whose shape was indistinguishable due to their altitude. The objects were described as easily visible, flying in zigzags at high speed, emitting a strange and powerful luminosity that mutated in color from reddish-orange to blue. They disappeared rapidly from view, causing alarm.

Case No. 11: OVNIS en el Norte

This case involves two families who witnessed a UFO on a trip from the north to the capital. On a Friday evening, about 200 kilometers south of Antofagasta, they observed an object for ten minutes. Oscar Perello Nieto, an industrialist, and Santiago Hufán, a biology professor, described the object as a spinning top moving at high speed with flashes of different colors. They were certain it was not a star, but a flying disc, due to its varied movements and altitudes. They felt the object was inspecting the territory. Both men, being reputable professionals, stated they would not risk their prestige by fabricating such a story.

Case No. 12: Disco Volador en Calama

An unusual phenomenon was observed in Calama. Witnesses described a bright, cigar-shaped object leaving a lead-colored trail, moving from northeast to southeast at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters. Professors and students from local schools were among the witnesses who identified it as a flying disc.

Case No. 13: Un Extraño Fenómeno Fue Visto en Cielo de Limache

Don Emilio Orellana Orellana, a truck owner, reported seeing a powerful light on October 11, 1967, near Cerro El Roble. The light moved rapidly over Limache and landed on the hill, pulsing with increasing and decreasing intensity before disappearing. Orellana, who had never believed in such phenomena before, was deeply impressed.

Case No. 14: Extraño Cuerpo Luminoso Fue Visto en Antofagasta

On October 23, 1967, Reinaldo Lizana, a Merchant Marine officer, observed an OVNI from his home in Antofagasta using a theodolite. The object's position was recorded as latitude 23º 40' S and longitude 69º 35' W. Lizana, who regularly scans the sky, confirmed it was not a star, planet, or satellite due to its unusual glow and non-corresponding position to celestial charts. The FACH flight control tower also located the object and confirmed it was an unusual celestial body. The object left a trail of orange, blue, and red colors and moved at high speed at an altitude of about 160 kilometers. Lizana made further observations on November 3 and November 13, noting other OVNIs with varying luminosity and intermittent colors.

De Nuestro Archivo de Veinte Años

This section presents older cases from the magazine's archives.

July 13, 1947: María Pinto

A bright object, shaped like a plate or truncated cylinder, about the size of a full moon, was seen over Los Potrerillos, near an ancient indigenous cemetery. It moved slowly towards the south and was observed by several locals.

July 15, 1947: Temuco

Numerous people reported seeing a strange celestial phenomenon, described as a large luminous disc, clearly visible in the sky before disappearing into the clouds.

July 13, 1947: Osorno

A gigantic flying disc was observed for about 25 minutes, moving from north to south and disappearing without exploding. Witnesses included a Carabineros major and his wife. The report also mentions earlier observations in Osorno of 'aerolites' that might have been flying discs.

July 14, 1947: Atacama

While sailing between Caldera and Huasco, the ship 'Santa Cruz' observed a luminous disc approximately 5 meters in diameter. It moved at high speed towards the northwest and was visible for 5 minutes. Three fishermen corroborated this sighting.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the consistent reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena across Chile. The magazine presents these cases with a degree of seriousness, often citing official sources or reputable witnesses such as military personnel, pilots, and professionals. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting and presenting these events, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while implicitly suggesting that these phenomena warrant serious investigation and are not mere figments of collective imagination. The inclusion of historical cases from 1947 indicates a long-standing interest in UFOs in Chile.