Forest fires kill 112 in Chile's worst disaster since 2010 earthquake
Fierce forest fires in central Chile have claimed the lives of 112 people and have devastated entire neighborhoods. President Gabriel Boric has warned that the country is facing a tragedy of great magnitude.
Death toll rises and neighborhoods razed
The forest fires in Chile have intensified, with 112 people already reported dead and entire neighborhoods reduced to ashes. The death toll is expected to climb further as more bodies are found amidst the devastation. Hundreds of people are still missing, deepening the tragedy.
The fires have now reached the outskirts of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, two popular coastal cities. These cities have a combined population of over a million residents. Drone footage reveals scorched neighborhoods and streets filled with burnt-out houses and cars. The scale of destruction is immense.
Pedro Quezada, a local builder in the Valparaiso region, described the horrific conditions, stating that the wind was unbearable, the heat was scorching, and there was no respite. People were forced to disperse in all directions, fleeing for their lives.
Fear and devastation continue
Videos shared on social media show hillside fires dangerously close to apartment blocks, releasing smoke into the air. The thick haze has enveloped other urban areas, severely limiting visibility and adding to the chaos.
To address the crisis, Chilean authorities have implemented a 9 p.m. curfew in the hardest-hit areas. The military has been deployed to assist firefighters in containing the spread of the fires. Helicopters are also being used to drop water from the air in an attempt to extinguish the flames.
The latest figures from Chile's Legal Medical Service, the state coroner, confirm that 112 people have perished in the fires. This is a significant increase from the initial death toll of 51 reported on Saturday. The situation is dire, and President Gabriel Boric has declared two days of national mourning.
Devastation and the road to recovery
Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve has reported that 165 fires are currently raging across Chile. Cities such as Vina del Mar and Quilpué have suffered significant damage, with approximately 14,000 homes affected. Many residents have returned to find their homes unrecognizable, losing all their possessions in the process.
Sergio Espejo, a welder, and his wife Maria Soledad Suarez have experienced this devastating reality firsthand. They sifted through the ashes of their home and workshop, salvaging what little they could. The loss of their tools, essential for Espejo's livelihood, adds to the heartbreak of losing everything they had worked for.
Wildfires are not uncommon in the Southern Hemisphere during summer, but the severity of these blazes is unprecedented. These fires mark Chile's worst national disaster since the 2010 earthquake, which claimed the lives of around 500 people. President Boric is directing resources towards the affected areas, particularly those that attract tourists.
