Deadliest forest fires in Chile’s Valparaíso region claim 112 lives; state of emergency declared
Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of emergency in response to forest fires in the Valparaíso region, which have resulted in at least 112 fatalities.
Boric pledged to allocate “all necessary resources” to address the crisis, marking it as Chile’s most devastating forest fire on record.
The victims primarily included individuals visiting the coastal area for summer holidays.
To address the escalating health crisis, a health alert has been issued in Valparaíso, prompting the suspension of elective surgeries and the establishment of temporary field hospitals.
The health ministry also announced plans to enlist medicine students nearing the end of their studies to assist the overwhelmed health service.
Rescue efforts have been hindered by challenges in accessing severely impacted areas, leading Interior Minister Carolina Tohá to warn that the death toll is likely to rise substantially.
Authorities have advised against travel to affected regions.
Residents have recounted harrowing experiences, with one individual describing the situation as “hell.”
Rodrigo Pulgar, a 61-year-old resident of El Olivar, recounted attempting to aid his neighbor before realizing his own home was engulfed in flames.
Between 3,000 and 6,000 houses have been affected by the fires, according to the housing ministry.
A curfew has been implemented in several areas, aiming to facilitate emergency vehicle access to affected regions.
Efforts to combat the fires involve deploying 1,400 firefighters alongside military personnel.
The cause of the fires is under investigation, and measures have been implemented to prevent further escalation, including bans on handling fire and heat-producing machinery in Valparaíso and the adjacent Marga Marga region.
Valparaíso, located approximately 116 km (72 miles) from the capital Santiago, typically attracts numerous tourists during the summer season.
The recent devastation echoes similar deadly wildfires in regions further south from Valparaíso in the previous year.
Source-BBC
