At least 99 people have died and about 200 are missing due to massive forest fires sweeping through south-central Chile.
According to foreign media outlets such as CNN Chile on the 4th (local time), the Chilean Legal Medical Service (SML) announced that the number of deaths due to the forest fire was 99. The number of deaths is expected to increase further.
The forest fire that was first reported near the Lake Penuela Reserve in Valparaiso State, central Chile, on the afternoon of the 2nd quickly spread and engulfed private homes. The fire quickly grew stronger due to the dry weather and strong winds.
Alvaro Hormasabal, head of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Agency, said 161 fires broke out across the country. Of these, 102 fires have been extinguished and 40 are currently being extinguished. He added that 19 cases are under observation.
Authorities mobilized 31 fire helicopters, 1,400 firefighters, and 1,300 soldiers. It is estimated that the damaged area is approximately 110㎢ and that 3,000 to 6,000 houses were damaged.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric called it “the biggest tragedy” since the 2010 earthquake that killed 525 people. He designated the 5th and 6th as a ‘National Day of Mourning’ to commemorate the victims.
Authorities have imposed a night curfew in cities including Viña del Mar, Quilfue, Villa Alemana, and Limache. Additionally, local residents who were concerned that the fire would spread were ordered to evacuate as quickly as possible.
Residents evacuating on motorcycles in Viña del Mar, Chile on the 3rd (local time). Newsis According to the National Disaster Prevention and Response Agency, nearly 26,000 hectares across the central and southern regions had been damaged by fire as of the 4th.
According to CNN Chile, one man was arrested and detained by police in connection with this forest fire.
Police believe the man accidentally started the fire while doing welding work at his home in Talcasi, central Chile. Prosecutors plan to indict this man.
Kim Ye-seul,
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.