Local authorities in Chile have reported that at least 112 people have been killed by the forest fires raging in Chile’s Valparaíso region.
Chile’s President, Gabriel Boric, has declared a state of emergency, saying that he would make use of “all necessary resources” available to tackle the situation.
A health alert has been put in place in Valparaíso by the health ministry, as the fire is believed to be Chile’s deadliest forest fire on record. Many of the victims were touring the region during the summer holidays.
In a statement, the health ministry called for the suspension of elective surgeries and ordered that temporary field hospitals be set up, also saying that medicine students who are nearing the end of their studies will be employed to help ease pressures on the health service.
The hardest-hit districts have proven difficult for rescue crews to access, and Interior Minister Carolina Tohá predicted that the death toll will “reach much higher figures” in the next few hours.
The government of Chile has advised citizens not to visit the fire-affected areas.
According to the housing ministry, the flames affected 3,000–6,000 homes.
A curfew was implemented on Saturday for residents of Quilpué, Villa Alemana, Limache, and Viña del Mar.
According to President Boric, the curfew would assist clear paths so that rescue vehicles can get to the impacted districts.
In a speech to the country on Sunday, the interior minister said that 1,400 firemen would be dispatched.
Alongside emergency services, military forces have been sent, and an investigation is underway to determine what caused the fires.
The government has prohibited the handling of fire and heat-producing machinery in Valparaíso and the neighbouring Marga district in order to prevent the already precarious situation from getting worse.
Located 116 kilometres (72 miles) away from Santiago, the capital, the seaside resort of Valparaíso attracts a lot of visitors in the summer.
The Biobío and Ñuble areas, located south of Valparaíso, had fatal wildfires last year, which seem to be growing more common and intense.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
Follow us on:
