Black smoke billowed into the sky over parts of the Valparaiso region, home to nearly a million people in Chile. Firefighters used helicopters and fire trucks to try to extinguish the flames.
A wildfire rages in Vina del Mar, Chile on February 3, 2024. Photo: Reuters
Areas around the coastal tourist town of Vina del Mar are among the worst hit and rescue teams are working to reach all affected areas.
President Boric said in a statement that 40 people had died in the fires and six others died of burns in hospital. “Given the circumstances of the tragedy, the number of victims will certainly increase in the coming hours... The situation is really difficult,” he said.
Forest fires have caused great loss of life and property in Chile. Photo: Reuters
There are 92 active fires across the country, affecting more than 43,000 hectares, Interior Minister Carolina Toha said earlier in the day as she reported 19 deaths. Chile's disaster agency Senapred said it was the deadliest forest fire in Chile in a decade.
Between Friday and Saturday, the area affected by the bushfires increased from 30,000 to 43,000 hectares. Minister Toha said the biggest concern was that some of the fires were burning very close to urban areas, “with the potential to have a very high impact on people, homes and infrastructure.”
Wildfires are not uncommon in Chile during the summer months. Last year, after a record heatwave, some 27 people died and more than 400,000 hectares were affected by the disaster.
Huy Hoang (according to Reuters, AP)
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