Prosecutor: Commanders of Chilean Soldiers Killed in Blizzard Could Face Charges

A Chilean military prosecutor says the officers in charge of dozens of soldiers killed in a blizzard during a training march in the Andes face possible charges that could send them to prison.

Colonel Sergio Cea says the officers are being investigated for manslaughter, mistreatment of subordinates and failure to fulfill military duties.

The officers under investigation - Colonel Roberto Mercado, Colonel Enrique Pineda and Major Patricio Cereceda - have been removed from their posts.

Military authorities say the deaths could have been avoided if the officers had ordered their men to seek shelter, instead of marching them through the storm.

The search for bodies entered its eighth day Thursday.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.