PUNTA ARENAS, Chile, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Strikes against Chile's proposed 16.8 percent slashing of natural gas to the Magallenes region left thousands of tourists stranded, officials said.
Protesters' roadblocks set up since Wednesday prevented visitors to Torres Del Paine Park from leaving the region's capital of Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, The Santiago Times reported.
The roadblocks cut tourists off from the airport and boat transportation, the Times reported.
On Saturday, 3,000 tourists from more than 30 countries were stuck in the area, with an additional 2,500 detained at an Argentina-Chile border crossing, the Times reported.
Chile's air force Sunday flew 3,000 tourists stranded in Puerto Natales to the regional airport in Punta Arenas.
Food, fuel and shelter ran low leading up to the weekend, the Times said.
"People are worried because the strike is still going and they're trying to stock up on provisions. If this goes on, we will have serious problems this week," said Punta Arenas Shell gas distributor Gaston Vera.
