The death toll from the wildfires in Chile has risen to 56

Chilean authorities reported this Sunday that the death toll from devastating fires that have consumed large sectors of homes in the region Valparaísohundred kilometers east of Santiago, increased to 56although it is feared that it will continue to increase with the hours.

“We have received an update on the unfortunate number of people who have died in this emergency Legal Medical Service (SML) and rose to 56,” said the region’s presidential envoy Sofía González.

Authorities already consider it Chile’s worst natural disaster since the 2010 earthquake it caused 525 dead and thousands injured in the south.

Chilean President, Gabriel Boricwho declared a state of emergency in the area on Friday to mobilize the necessary resources to deal with the emergency, arrived in the region this Sunday to gauge the magnitude of the disaster on the ground.

According to the latest report on National Forestry Corporationthere is at least seven fires currently active in Valparaísois the biggest Lake Peñuelas/Reserve Las Tablasalong the main highway in the area, where about 9,300 hectares have already burned.

This fire, along with the one developing in Lo Moscos, with 1,350 hectares burned, is of particular concern due to its virulence and proximity to densely populated areas.

Director of National Service for Prevention and Response to Disasters (Senapred), Álvaro Hormazábalhe noted early Sunday that weather conditions could improve slightly in the coming hours, making it easier to fight the fires.

“From today or tomorrow we will have a coastal valley (…) We could already have some clouds on the coast, which increases the humidity and allows the intensity of the fire to decrease a little,” Hormazábal indicated.

To facilitate rescue efforts and free evacuation routes, the Chilean government ordered a nighttime curfew that could also be extended until Sunday evening in sectors that have not yet been evacuated from the cities. Quilpuéé, Villa Alemana, Limache and Viña del Mar.

Governor of the region, Rodrigo Mundacaannounced at the press point after the meeting of authorities and regional institutions that there is “unanimity of criteria” in maintaining the measure, although the timetable has yet to be defined.

Mundaca then repeated it The possibility that the fires were intentional is being investigated. because many appeared simultaneously.

“We don’t know if it’s an organized gang or arsonists. Justice will decide what the culprits are looking for,” he added.