This is Chile’s worst disaster since a 2010 earthquake that killed about 500 people
Forest fires in Chile claimed the lives of at least 51 people on Saturday, as emergency crews worked to extinguish flames that posed a threat to urban areas.
Officials anticipate that the death toll may increase further. Interior Minister Carolina Tohá stated that information indicates the region is likely to see “much higher figures” in the hours to come. Tohá also mentioned that there are currently 92 forest fires burning in the central and southern parts of the country.
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Black smoke enveloped the sky across a significant portion of the Valparaíso region as firefighters, employing helicopters and trucks, labored to extinguish the fires. The most fatal incidents occurred in the Valparaíso region, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents from their homes. Tohá reported that four hospitals and three nursing homes in the Valparaíso region had to be evacuated due to the escalating threat posed by the fires.
In the Valparaíso region, three shelters were established to accommodate those affected, while the firefighting efforts were reinforced with the deployment of 19 helicopters and over 450 firefighters, as stated by Tohá.
The coastal tourist city of Viña del Mar and its surrounding areas were severely impacted by the fires, with rescue teams facing challenges in reaching all affected areas, as reported by Chilean officials. The fires were particularly intense in mountainous regions that are difficult to access, including neighborhoods situated on the outskirts of Viña del Mar.
In Villa Independencia, a hillside neighborhood situated on the eastern edge of Viña del Mar, multiple blocks of homes and businesses suffered extensive destruction. The streets, now covered in ash, displayed burnt cars with broken windows as a visible aftermath of the fires.
“The situation in Valparaiso is extremely delicate,” remarked Tohá, highlighting that this is the nation’s most severe disaster since the 2010 earthquake that claimed about 500 lives.
In a televised address to the nation, President Gabriel Boric acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “It is very difficult.”
“If you are instructed to evacuate, don’t hesitate to do so,” he urged. “The fires are spreading rapidly, and climatic conditions have made them challenging to control. With high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity, the situation is critical.”
Officials reported that at least 1,100 homes were destroyed in the fires.
The fires also ravaged two bus terminals, causing power blackouts, according to officials.
Wildfires are a recurrent occurrence in Chile during the summer months. In the previous year, during a record heatwave, over 25 people lost their lives, and more than 400,000 hectares (990,000 acres) were impacted.
“The current area affected by fires is considerably smaller than last year. However, the number of hectares affected is multiplying very rapidly at this time,” Tohá stated.
Between Friday and Saturday, the area impacted by the wildfires expanded from 30,000 hectares to 43,000 hectares (110,000 acres), as reported by Tohá.
Tohá emphasized the primary concern is that certain active fires are progressing dangerously close to urban areas, posing a significant risk to people, homes, and facilities.