El secreto sumergido de Villa Epecuén (El caso de las 47 fotografías)

The Mystery of Villa Epecuén

Discovery of the Body

• In March 2024, rescue divers discovered a body at the bottom of Lake Epecuén, Buenos Aires. The body was equipped with modern diving gear but had been underwater for at least 30 years.

• Forensic analysis revealed that the man had drowned in 1994 while using equipment manufactured after his death, including a Nikon F3 camera attached to his wrist.

The Photographic Evidence

• Inside the waterproof case of the camera was a roll of film containing 47 exposures, exceeding the standard maximum of 36 for 35mm rolls.

• The first 36 photos depicted Villa Epecuén before its flooding in 1985; subsequent images showed underwater scenes and a man who resembled the deceased.

The Tragedy of Villa Epecuén

• Villa Epecuén was once a thriving resort town known for its saltwater lake, attracting thousands seeking healing until it was submerged by floodwaters in November 1985.

• Residents evacuated as water levels rose silently due to heavy rains, leaving behind their belongings with hopes of returning.

Resurgence and Disappearances

• After years underwater, Villa Epecuén re-emerged in 2009 as a ghost town covered in salt crystals, drawing tourists and photographers alike.

• Between 2010 and 2024, there were reports of 17 disappearances near the ruins—individuals who entered but never returned.

Unexplained Phenomena

• Divers reported strange reflections and sensations under water; one diver experienced psychotic episodes attributed to narcosis after exploring the site.

• Five missing persons shared common traits: all were photographers with analog cameras interested in capturing night shots of Villa Epecuén.

Case Study: Lucas Ferreira

• Lucas Ferreira disappeared in August 2019; his car was found abandoned near the ruins with no sign of him except for an ominous note instructing not to search at night.

• His body was discovered alongside his camera five years later, raising questions about how he could have decomposed over three decades if he vanished only recently.

Forensic Analysis Insights

• The forensic examination revealed discrepancies regarding film exposure counts; despite being impossible for a standard roll to contain more than 36 frames, this one registered as having 47.

• Ramiro Ibarra led the analysis process under strict protocols. He initially suspected mechanical failure but confirmed all exposures upon developing the film.

Mysterious Photographs of Villa Epecuén

Discovery of the Film Roll

• The film roll contained 47 frames, which seemed compressed or had more footage than expected. The first 36 photos depicted normal scenes from Villa Epecuén in the 1980s.

• Photos 1-12 showed vibrant life before the flood: streets bustling with people, intact buildings, and recognizable landmarks dated to the 1980s through clothing and cars.

Family Recognition

• Photo 21 featured a family—identified as the Ibarra family—smiling in front of a Ford Falcon. This photo was taken during their only visit to Villa Epecuén in summer 1984.

• Subsequent photos (22-36) displayed unsettling elements; each image included at least one person staring directly at the camera, suggesting an eerie awareness of being photographed decades later.

Underwater Revelations

• Photo 37 marked a significant shift: it captured submerged buildings in Villa Epecuén post-flood, including a diver named Lucas Ferreira who appeared to be waiting near what was once the hotel entrance.

• Photos 38-42 showcased divers underwater, with one diver's face clearly visible through her mask. Notably, all divers had white eyes and were positioned as if posing for the camera.

Disturbing Evidence

• Photo 43 depicted Lucas Ferreira appearing lifeless while still attached to his camera. This raised questions about who took subsequent photos (44-47).

• In photo 44, Lucas is seen alive and dry inside a subterranean room labeled "Hotel Boulevard." He appears to be setting up his camera.

Final Warning

• Photo 45 shows Lucas writing on an underwater whiteboard with a warning not to view photo 47 or enter the lake at night.

• Despite warnings from forensic technicians regarding photo 46 being completely blacked out, authorities insisted on examining it due to its potential evidence status.

The Haunting Conclusion

• Upon scanning photo 47, investigators found an open door leading into water filled with hundreds of floating figures—all with white eyes looking towards the camera.

• Among them were recognized missing persons from Villa Epecuén since 2010, including Ramiro Ibarra Signor (the narrator's father), prompting immediate closure of the case by authorities after viewing this disturbing evidence.

The Mysterious Disappearances in Villa Epecuén

Initial Report and Discovery

• Ramiro Ibarra reported an urgent sighting to the Carhué police on March 18, 2024, but never arrived at the station as promised. His car was found two days later in Villa Epecuén.

• Inside his abandoned vehicle was a Nikon F3 camera with an undeveloped roll of film. The police protocol dictated that the camera be sealed and sent to Buenos Aires for analysis without revealing the film.

Unexplained Events and Consequences

• Two weeks after sending the camera, forensic reports indicated that someone had opened it and developed the film, which contained 47 photos. The technician responsible claimed he heard voices calling him from inside the camera before being dismissed for psychiatric reasons.

• Between March and August 2024, five more individuals disappeared in Villa Epecuén under similar circumstances: all left their cars behind, carried analog cameras, and left notes expressing a desire to document something mysterious.

Underwater Discoveries

• In September 2024, a professional diver discovered a locked metal door labeled "Sótano 3" at a depth of 50 meters in what used to be the hotel Boulevard's basement.

• Despite tourism thriving in Villa Epecuén, locals are aware of unspoken dangers associated with night visits or diving into the lake—particularly concerning analog cameras that seem to capture unseen phenomena.

Strange Phenomena and Government Response

• A German tourist posted an ordinary photo taken at Villa Epecuén online; however, upon closer inspection by others, reflections revealed intact buildings beneath the water's surface. This tourist ceased activity on social media shortly thereafter.

• In January 2025, authorities announced that Villa Epecuén would close for six months due to structural preservation work but did not disclose underlying issues related to ongoing disappearances.

Ongoing Mysteries

• Divers later found steel cables leading from shore to underwater locations where they discovered 47 Nikon F3 cameras—all with undeveloped rolls tied together as if part of a larger scheme.

• Residents began reporting strange phone calls from nonexistent numbers since December; when answered, they hear familiar voices urging them to bring their cameras back down into the lake.

Final Thoughts on Villa Epecuén's Secrets

• The current count of missing persons has reached 63 with no signs of stopping. Warnings against purchasing certain vintage cameras are issued due to their potential connection with these mysteries.

• Viewers are encouraged to share theories about what lies beneath Lake Villa Epecuén and reflect on why exactly there is significance attached to capturing precisely 47 photographs.