Chile wildfires: At least 112 died as flames rage across the country
Wildfires in Chile (Getty Images)
Destructive fires that started on Friday are spreading through forest parts of Chile, causing over 100 deaths, with authorities warning that the number could increase, according to Reuters and CNN.
Many people are missing, and officials worry that more will be found dead as search efforts continue in areas affected by wildfires.
The Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service reported 112 confirmed deaths. Pictures and videos show extensive damage in various communities, including burned vehicles and houses reduced to ash.
Consequences of wildfires in Chile (Getty Images)
"It is Chile as a whole that suffers and mourns our dead," President Gabriel Boric said in an address to the nation. "We are facing a tragedy of very great magnitude."
Currently, there are 161 active fires across the country, with 102 under control and 40 still being fought by firefighters. The fires are now threatening two coastal tourist cities Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, where a state of emergency and evacuations are declared.
Consequences of wildfires in Chile (Getty Images)
"Chilean authorities have introduced a 9 p.m. curfew in the hardest-hit areas and sent in the military to help firefighters stem the spread of fires, while helicopters dumped water to try to douse the flames from the air," Reuters says.
The fires in Valparaíso, a popular tourist destination, are described as possibly the largest in the region, causing damage to nearly 1,400 houses. Preliminary estimates suggest damages reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. Evacuation efforts are ongoing, though some residents are reluctant to leave their homes.
Chile is facing a summer heatwave, with temperatures above 33 degrees Celsius in the capital, Santiago. Nearby Colombia is also dealing with wildfires, seeking international assistance. In Chile, the port city of Valparaíso is a priority for emergency crews due to its proximity to urban areas, with 372 residents reported missing.
The climate crisis, marked by heatwaves and droughts, is making wildfires more frequent and severe globally. Experts predict a significant increase in extreme wildfires, with a potential rise of 30% by 2050.
Wildfires in Chile
On February 4, it was reported that at least 46 people had lost their lives as a result of raging wildfires in central Chile. According to Chilean authorities, the areas around the coastal tourist town of Vina del Mar had been most affected by the wildfires at that time.
