UFO Chile - Issue 06 and 07

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO CHILE, identified as Nos. 6 and 7, is dated May 1969 and published in Santiago, Chile. The cover features a stylized orange and white logo for 'UFO CHILE' and a grainy photograph of a luminous object. The magazine's primary focus is on reporting and investigating unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related aerial phenomena observed in Chile.

Cover Story: Arica Sighting

The issue's cover photograph is dedicated to UFO-Chile and was taken on February 5, 1963, in Alto de Chaca, Arica. The photograph was captured with a Rugula camera using a 200mm lens and a 6-second exposure. The accompanying text describes a strange celestial phenomenon observed again in the sky over Arica, near Alto de Chaca, which locals believe to be 'flying saucers.' The first observation of this phenomenon was reported on January 24th. More recently, on the night of February 5th, numerous residents of Alto de Chaca reported seeing a strange celestial body, which was photographed by Gino Rossi, a local merchant. According to Rossi and his companion, Gonzalo Gallo, the object was six times larger than the polar star. The photograph, published in the Arica newspaper 'La Concordia,' reveals a long trail with varying intensity. The photo was taken with a 200mm telephoto lens and a six-second exposure. Had it been instantaneous, it would have appeared circular and very luminous.

Editorial and Publication Notes

UFO-Chile apologizes for the delay in responding to correspondence and for the irregular publication schedule of the bulletin. They attribute these issues to the large volume of material received and promise a more regular publication starting with this issue. The occurrence of numerous cases in the latter half of 1968 has prevented the inclusion of other studies or reports on cases investigated directly by their group.

Cases from 1968 in Chile (Continued)

Case No. 21: Coquimbo

On July 23rd at 17:40 hrs, off Playa Peñuelas in Coquimbo, Gonzalo Tocornal Rogers, an Agricultural Engineer from the Ministry of Agriculture, reported seeing a metallic mass engulfed in flames fall into the sea, leaving a white smoke trail. NASA sent personnel to the area but found no traces. A local fisherman confirmed Tocornal's account. Air authorities in Coquimbo stated that no aircraft were flying in the zone at that time. The report, a summary of press information, notes interest from UFO-Chile in whether a satellite fell, as NASA in Chile denied knowledge of any missing controlled satellites.

Case No. 22: Curicó Province

On July 23rd at 19:30 hrs, in Curicó Province, Atilio Muñoz (a witness from a previous case) observed a highly luminous blue object emitting orange sparks and making zig-zag movements. The observation took place at Fundo 'El Corazón' (Palquibudis). Another observation was reported at 20:35 hrs in Orillas de Navarro, 10 km east of the first location. An observation by P. Petrowitsch noted the geographical coincidence of these points on the same parallel as Punta del Este, Uruguay, where an observation occurred on the same day.

Case No. 23: Curicó

On July 24th, around 19:00 hrs, near Palquibudis, Curicó, two individuals witnessed an 'enormous luminous object' crossing towards the ocean. This report is from 'La Prensa' of Curicó.

Case No. 24: Santiago

On the morning of July 24th, in the Lo Castillo zone of Santiago, the flight of several objects was observed near Cerro Manquehue. These objects emitted luminous flashes and thick smoke trails. The Air Force suggested it could be reflections of the sun on an aircraft, but simultaneously reported no known aircraft presence in the area. Local residents insisted the objects were multiple and not airplanes, as they were familiar with aircraft due to the proximity of Lo Castillo aerodrome.

Observations of July 25th

This day also saw a sensational case in Argentina ('baleo' of extraterrestrials in Olavarría) and marked a peak in Chilean observations for that period.

Case No. 25: Cuesta de Barriga, Santiago

On the night of July 25th, near dawn, Lorenzini Allende Marín, a 20-year-old mechanic driving from Valparaíso to Santiago, experienced a deafening noise and vibration while ascending Cuesta de Barriga. He then saw a blinding celestial light approach his vehicle. The light caused temporary paralysis in his left leg and left arm. His car's engine stopped, and the lights went out. He then saw an egg-shaped artifact with luminous rays. After a tense moment, the artifact moved away rapidly towards the Cordillera, made a sharp turn, and disappeared. Allende, initially hesitant to report the incident for fear of disbelief, later shared it with friends and family, stating he now believed in flying saucers because he had seen them himself. This account is from 'La Tercera de la Hora.'

Case No. 26: Melipilla, Santiago Province

Around 10:00 hrs, NE of Melipilla, a 'Cigar of the Clouds' was observed. Luz María Stevenson, 13 years old, and Carmen Andrade saw an elongated white cloud, initially vertical, which suddenly became horizontal and moved away rapidly. The observation lasted 5 minutes. A brother of Mrs. Andrade reportedly saw something similar later from Rocas de Santo Domingo.

Case No. 27: Curicó Province

On July 25th, around 20:25 hrs, in various locations in Curicó Province, a large, bluish luminous object emitting orange sparks was observed. It appeared to descend rapidly, increase in size, and then continue its descent, illuminating the ground. The phenomenon caused a blue tint on the faces of observers. The report, from 'La Prensa' of Curicó, mentions numerous witnesses in Romeral, Quilpoco, Tutuquén Alto, Itahue, Molina, Iloca, Licantén, Lontué, El Corazón, and Guaico Tres. It was also observed by soldiers at the Curicó regiment.

Case No. 28: Isla Negra, Santiago Coast

On July 26th, 'Las Ultimas Noticias' reported that at 20:00 hrs on July 25th, a phenomenon similar to the Coquimbo case was observed by fishermen in Isla Negra. Described as a 'ball of fire,' it fell into the sea near Puntilla de Isla Negra during a period of emergency measures for high tides. No further details were reported.

Case No. 29: Laraquete, Curanilahue, Pilpilco (Arauco Province)

Between 20:30 and 21:15 hrs on July 25th, Rigoberto Benſtez Espinoza, driving a microbus with six passengers, observed a dazzling object moving from south to north near Bajo Pilpilco. The object emitted a blue light that illuminated the area. It hovered briefly before moving on. A second version suggests the driver stopped due to fear of collision. Witnesses included carabineros from Laraquete and Pilpilco. The governor of Cañete confirmed that multiple versions of the event were consistent, indicating an unknown apparatus was in the air. Press reports from Concepción and Santiago provided varying times for the observation (21:15 hrs or 20:30 hrs). The 20:30 hrs time aligns with Case No. 27, though the direction of movement differs. A report from 'Crónica' of Concepción mentioned a mysterious meteoroid crossing the sky northwards at 20:50 hrs, which Professor Harald Sagner of the University of Concepción suggested might be an artificial satellite or rocket entering the atmosphere. The magazine notes a lack of information regarding satellite entries on this date.

Collaboration and Special Reports

The issue includes a contribution from Dr. Darwin Arriagada L., Director of the National Health Service of La Serena, and a copy of a report from Dr. Marcelo Devilat Barros, Director of the Huasco Hospital, concerning a phenomenon observed on October 19, 1968, visible from Talca to Huasco and Vallenar.

OVNIS Sobre Huanta (Vicuña)

This section details an event from June 1966 involving Abel Aguirre Diaz, his brother-in-law Rosamel Diaz Gallegillos, and two children. While driving a truck near Huanta, they saw two bright objects, about 1.20 meters tall, hide by the roadside. A powerful light then focused on them, causing temporary paralysis in the driver and Gallegillos. The truck's engine stopped, and its lights went out. The driver saw a luminous reflection in the rearview mirror. The truck's headlights suddenly turned on without intervention. A potent light appeared on a nearby plateau, illuminating the valley and hills. The group felt fear and left the site, taking 3 hours to travel 30 km due to Aguirre's eye irritation. They reported the incident to the Carabineros. An investigation by Captain Mario Hugo Molina days later yielded negative results.

An arriero (muleteer) independently reported seeing a 'ball of fire' pass overhead towards the sea, also suffering from conjunctivitis. Enrique Cuellar, an employee of the Tabacalera Company, also reported seeing a 'ball of fire' around 10 PM. Abel Aguirre consulted a Carabineros practitioner who provided eye drops, improving his condition. Five days later, Aguirre marked the site with a stone monolith. He found special tracks on the ground: 20 cm long, 15 cm wide, and 20 cm deep, in two groups totaling six. An ENAMI engineer, Sergio Canut de Bon, visited the site and confirmed the tracks but did not take photographs. Aguirre later reported vague health sensations, describing it as 'my head goes away.' His brother-in-law, Rosamel Diaz, now experiences reading difficulties and fatigue. The report mentions credible witnesses like Carabineros of Huanta, the State Bank agent of Coquimbo, and the doctor of the Arica Regiment in La Serena. It also notes other UFO incidents in the area, including one on September 7, 1967, where several Carabineros saw a silver, plate-shaped object, 50 meters in diameter, hovering and then moving at high speed. This was reported to higher authorities and observed by other locals.

Huasco Report (October 29, 1968)

This section is a copy of a letter addressed to Dr. Arriagada regarding a report of 'flying saucers' seen by two officials from the Huasco Hospital on the night of October 19, 1968. The letter details interviews with the witnesses, Domingo Cuevas (the driver) and Edmundo Vargas (an administrative official). While traveling in an ambulance, Cuevas observed a large luminous disk moving rapidly from east to west, emitting multi-colored lights. The vehicle's engine stopped, and the lights went out. Vargas also saw the luminosity, describing it as a photographic flash and the multi-colored disk. He exited the ambulance to observe the object disappear to the southeast. Cuevas estimated the object's altitude at 3 to 4,000 meters, while Vargas could not estimate the size precisely. Cuevas noted that the vehicle restarted and its lights came on simultaneously after the phenomenon, despite him having placed the gear in neutral and his foot on the brake.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting of UFO sightings across various regions of Chile, the presentation of witness testimonies, and the documentation of investigations, however preliminary. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of serious inquiry into these phenomena, collecting and disseminating information from diverse sources, including press reports, personal accounts, and official confirmations (or lack thereof). There is a clear interest in corroborating evidence, such as photographs and physical traces, and in exploring potential explanations, while also acknowledging the unexplained nature of many events. The editorial notes suggest a commitment to regular publication and a desire to cover a backlog of cases, indicating an active UFO research community in Chile during this period.

This issue of "El Ovni" magazine, identified by its page number '9' and '10' through '12', focuses on a compilation of Unidentified Flying Object (OVNI) sightings and related phenomena reported in Chile during 1969. The content includes detailed witness testimonies, investigative analysis, and a catalog of specific incidents.

Analysis of a Sighting and Witness Credibility

The issue begins with an account summarized by Sr. Vargas, describing a sudden bright light that illuminated a sector and then left a self-luminous, moving object. This event was witnessed by others, including an ambulance driver named Cuevas. Both Vargas and Cuevas agree on the object's appearance (a disc with multiple luminous colors), its high speed, and its direction of departure. However, they disagree on the ambulance's speed and the object's size and altitude. The investigator, Dr. Marcelo Devilat Barros, provides an analysis of the witnesses' credibility. He personally attests that the witnesses were not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, nor were they experiencing altered states of consciousness. He also notes that they do not exhibit psychopathic personalities or overvalued ideas. From a semiological perspective, he suggests that the perception described does not correspond to typical alterations that create new objects but might involve hyper-perception. He definitively rules out pseudo-hallucinations, illusions, or catathymic phenomena, concluding that if the witnesses are deemed credible, the events likely occurred.

Dr. Devilat Barros also mentions a similar sighting in La Serena and other locations like Valparaíso, noting the difficulty in establishing a direct link. He expresses his impression that the existence of these "flying objects" is no longer in doubt and that the issue warrants serious and scientific investigation, regardless of whether they are identified as flying saucers, Martian discs, or satellites.

Chilean OVNI Cases of 1969

The magazine then presents a chronological list of OVNI cases from 1969:

• January 5, 4 AM, Viña del Mar: Carabineros at Cerro Castillo observed an incandescent object fall into the sea. Subsequent investigation found boiling water, a sulfur smell, and unusual marine plants. A later report suggested a paper balloon might have been responsible.
• January 14, around 9 PM, Cerro Quiñe (Prov. Linares): Numerous people observed a balloon-like object emitting multicolored lights and moving at high speed.
• January 19, 3 AM, near Socos (Prov. de Coquimbo): Two taxi drivers observed two OVNIs moving at high speed and low altitude, leaving a luminous trail.
• January 31, 9:30 AM, Ovalle: Construction workers and neighbors witnessed a circular object descending rapidly, then ascending, performing maneuvers for five minutes before disappearing into the clouds.
• February 2, 4:40 AM, Las Trancas (Prov. de Nuble): A newspaper reported witnesses saw a fireball after hearing a noise, finding their cars moved and dented. However, the witnesses denied the fireball aspect, stating it was unrelated.
• February 12, 5 PM, 4 miles off the coast of Quintero (Prov. de Valparaiso): The crew of the fishing boat "Carol" sighted an object over the sea that reportedly broke apart. A Grumman aircraft was seen nearby, but the Air Force denied its presence in the area.
• March 6, 9:45 PM, 5 km from Campamento Manantiales (Prov. de Magallanes): Osvaldo Domínguez reported that a flying saucer passenger left a mark on his vehicle. He described two shadows, about 1.60 meters tall, emerging from a disc hovering a meter above the ground. One shadow left a mark resembling cat scratches.
• Before March 19, between Ollagile and San Martín (Prov. de Antofagasta): Architect Bernardo Contreras Briceño, topographer Héctor Chacana, and driver Pedro Huidobro observed a flying object resembling a football that flashed lights. The object descended and hovered three meters from their stuck vehicle for about 10 minutes before ascending.
• Undated, Calama: A luminous object followed a family's car towards the airport.
• March 31, Falsa Alarma: A shiny object reported on "El Dragon" hill was found to be a truck wheel.
• Mid-April, approx. 6 km from Pichidangui: Two traveling salesmen reported a blinding violet and white light that caused their truck to stop and them to become paralyzed for a minute. They then observed a diffuse, mushroom-shaped luminous object ascending rapidly.
• April 13 and 14, 9 PM, near Cullen (Prov. Magallanes): Antonio Damianovic observed an object like a full moon with pink lights moving vertically and horizontally, then disappearing rapidly. The sighting was repeated the following day.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence and variety of OVNI sightings across Chile in 1969, the detailed descriptions of objects and their behaviors, and the attempts to assess witness credibility. The editorial stance, as suggested by Dr. Devilat Barros's commentary, leans towards the serious investigation of these phenomena, acknowledging their existence and the need for scientific inquiry rather than dismissing them outright. The magazine appears to be a dedicated publication for reporting and analyzing UFO-related events, particularly within Chile.