With 131 dead, residents in Chile begin the difficult task of “cleaning up” the charred ruins

Residents of the region of Valparaiso, Chile, affected by the fires on Tuesday were still working in the debris removal, as official damage counts began to gauge the extent of the aid delivery catastrophe. It is also being investigated whether the fire was intentional.

At least 131 people died in the firesaccording to the latest official information, in the event described by the authorities as the worst in terms of number of victims from the earthquake of February 27, 2010.

Over 300 people are still missing, according to Mayor Macarena Ripamonti of Viña del Mar, one of the most affected cities.

With the weather conditions more favourable, fog, humidity and greater control of the outbreaks, President Gabriel Boric met on Tuesday in the Ripamonti area and other authorities such as the mayor of Quilpué, another of the affected municipalities.

“I came to live here when I was 8 years old, I grew up here, I lived my childhood, my youth, my maturity here, until I left. My parents’ and sisters’ house burned down and my neighbors died, the people who knew me when I was little,” said Gabriel Leiva, 46, as he worked in the Olivar sector of Viña del Mar, one of the hardest hit .

Leiva stated that “here we are committing ourselves as Chileans of those who fall to the bottom and get back up” and underlined the solidarity received from those who collaborate in the reconstruction work.

“We have stopped a thousand times and this will be the thousand and one,” he said.

In Santiago and other parts of the country large collection centers were organised where Chileans began sending water, non-perishable foods, cleaning and hygiene products, blankets and food for animals, which were also affected by the fires.

Many volunteer vets also turned out help animals who were injured by the fire.

At the vaccination centers in the region there were queues of people for receive the tetanus vaccine while special care was offered to those who suffered eye damage as a result of their injuries.showers of flying sparks occurred Friday, at the height of the fires that consumed more than 20,000 hectares in just three days.

The Viña del Mar Festival canceled its opening gala as a sign of mourning.

Many of the singers who will participate in that event – ​​such as Alejandro Sanz, Pablo Alborán and Maná – have sent messages of solidarity to Chile and They announced donations.

Singer Daddy Yankee also expressed his affection on social networks and underlined the resilience of the Chilean people.

The United Nations highlighted in a message that the organization’s secretary general witnessed firsthand, on a recent trip, the generosity of the Chilean people, expressed his condolences and expressed his “solidarity” with the Chilean government.” in this difficult moment.” He also announced the sending of aid.