Wildfires in central Chile have claimed the lives of at least 51 individuals, with the inferno extending to a renowned tourist destination, as emergency crews tirelessly work to extinguish the flames.
President Gabriel Boric, in a broadcast statement, cautioned that the casualty figures might rise, highlighting that four significant fires continued to rage in the Valparaiso region.
This area, known for its high population density and attractiveness to tourists, houses close to a million residents.
Valparaiso witnessed large plumes of smoke ascending into the atmosphere, prompting the evacuation of thousands and the deployment of helicopters to combat the fire. Officials reported that over 1,100 residences had been consumed by the fire as of Saturday.
The vicinity of Vina del Mar, a sought-after coastal tourist locale, experienced some of the most severe damages, with emergency teams facing challenges in accessing all impacted zones.
President Boric urged residents to evacuate when instructed and to support the efforts of the rescue personnel, emphasizing the rapid spread of the fires exacerbated by challenging weather conditions like high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity.
Interior Minister Carolina Toha indicated that around 92 forest fires were active across central and southern Chile, with Valparaiso’s situation being particularly critical.
She remarked that Chile is confronting its gravest calamity since the 2010 earthquake, which resulted in approximately 500 deaths.
To aid those affected, three shelters have been established in the region, and extensive resources, including 19 helicopters and over 450 firefighters, have been mobilized to fight the fires.
