According to officials on Saturday, at least 51 people have perished in flames that are burning around Chile. People were forced to flee as the flames advanced, destroying numerous homes.
The problem has been made worse by dry weather and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius, leading to the proclamation of a state of emergency in the central and southern sections of the country “due to catastrophe”.
“There are 45 people killed in the fire and another six who died as a result of burns,” claimed President Gabriel Boric on Saturday afternoon after conducting a helicopter surveillance of the destroyed area.
“We know that these numbers will increase,” he stated.
BREAKING: Chile declares state of emergency due to massive forest fires, more than 1000 houses destroyed, 10 fatalities reported.
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) February 3, 2024
As of lunchtime on Saturday, 92 fires were detected statewide, resulting in the burning of 43,000 hectares, according to a report earlier by Interior Minister Carolina Toha. By afternoon, forty of the fires had been suppressed, but 29 remained under fire.
Entire blocks of homes burned down at Vina del Mar, a seaside city, within the course of one night. According to The Daily Star, some of the corpses were seen laying on the road beneath sheets.
In the southwest of the city, in the communities of Estrella and Navidad, the fires damaged almost thirty residences.
The El Nino weather phenomena is causing a summer hot and drought in southern South America, which is fueling the fires. Scientists warn that as the globe warms, there will be more extreme heat waves and fires.
The heatwave that is threatening to engulf Paraguay and Brazil is now posing a threat to Chile and Colombia.
Firefighters from various provinces in Argentina have been fighting a fire since January 25. The fire has devastated more than 3,000 hectares of the well-known Los Alerces National Park, which is recognized for its rich biodiversity and stunning natural surroundings.
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