At least 112 people have been killed in the intense forest fires in Chile. The South American country’s Interior Ministry announced late Sunday evening (local time) that 32 of the victims had already been identified.
The number of victims could rise even further. About 370 people were still missing in the coastal town of Viña del Mar alone, El Mercurio newspaper reported, citing Mayor Macarena Ripamonti.
“This is the worst tragedy our country has experienced since the 2010 earthquake,” President Gabriel Boric said during a visit to the disaster area in the Valparaíso region on the Pacific coast. At that time, more than 520 people were killed. Boric announced two days of national mourning from Monday in honor of those who died.
In Viña del Mar, the fire destroyed the entire botanical garden of the resort, where Latin America’s most important music festival takes place every year. “We are increasing our air and land patrols,” said local military chief Admiral Daniel Muñoz. Two suspected arsonists were arrested.
The forestry authority recorded 180 fires across the country on Monday, covering a total area of more than 29,000 hectares. About 15,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, including more than 12,000 in Viña del Mar alone, Interior Ministry Undersecretary Manuel Monsalve said.
The aid will be accepted in all areas, including illegal settlements, Social Affairs Minister Javiera Toro said. The mayor of Viña del Mar, Macarena Ripamonti, demanded: “We need legal reforms so that no more construction takes place in risk areas.”
The region west of the capital Santiago, where the government says about 1.8 million people live, is hardest hit by the fires. A fire was said to have spread to an area of about 10,000 hectares near the coastal towns of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.
Serious forest fires often occur in Chile in the southern hemisphere in summer. Last year, more than 425,000 hectares of land burned in central and southern Chile – that’s roughly eight times the area of Lake Constance. At least 26 people were killed. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
