More than 100 Dead in Chile After Massive Forest Fire Hit Country
Chile – At least 112 people have been killed and 1,600 left homeless by wildfires in the Valparaiso region of central Chile. This was announced by local authorities on Sunday (February 4).
A total of 32 people have been identified so far, according to a report from the Legal Medical Service, Chile's state coroner's office.
"The forensic institute extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims," it said in a statement on Monday.
In addition, there are 161 active fires across the country, according to Alvaro Hormazabal, director of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service.
Meanwhile, a botanical garden founded in 1931 in the city of Vina del Mar was almost completely destroyed by the fire.
Ilustrasi kebakaran hutan.
- Istimewa
Authorities have urged thousands of people to evacuate their homes and imposed curfews in the towns most affected by the fires to open up routes and allow emergency vehicles to reach affected areas.
Shocking images of hundreds of cars burned in the fires, which have destroyed entire neighborhoods, are also circulating on social media
More than 200 people were reported missing in Vina del Mar and the surrounding area, a popular beach area for tourists during summer vacations.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric warned that the death toll could rise as major fires are still burning in Valparaiso, where firefighters are struggling to reach densely populated areas that have been engulfed by huge flames.
After visiting the affected areas, Boric announced two days of national mourning for the victims of the fires.
The president said that strong winds made it difficult for firefighters to control the fires, which have scorched 8,000 hectares (19,768 acres) of forest and urban areas.
The fires come as record-high temperatures hit the South American country due to the El Nino weather pattern, which causes high temperatures and triggers wildfires in several Latin American countries including Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina.
