Wildfires blazing across Chile have killed at least 51 people, leaving bodies in the street and homes gutted, with flames continuing to spread on Sunday and the toll expected to rise.
The forensic medical service had previously reported 45 deaths, but “there are six more people who died in health care facilities,” according to interior under-secretary Manuel Monsalve.
President Gabriel Boric has decreed a state of emergency in the central and southern parts of the country “due to catastrophe,” as dry conditions and temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) exacerbated the crisis.
Boric said the number of victims would increase, pledging government support to help people get back on their feet.
Authorities imposed a curfew beginning at 9:00 pm Saturday (0000 GMT Sunday), to allow emergency supplies — especially fuel — into the affected areas.
Breaking: Wild forest fires around a densely populated area of central Chile have left at least 51 dead and destroyed about 1,100 homes.#Chile pic.twitter.com/ze045JuCGT
— Phyu Lay (@PhyuLay60937915) February 4, 2024
Dense gray smoke blanketed the city of Vina del Mar of the Valparaiso tourist region, along central Chile’s coastline, forcing residents to flee.
New evacuation orders were issued, though it remained unclear exactly how many people had been told to leave.
Interior Minister Carolina Toha said there had been 92 fires as of noon, with 43,000 hectares (106,000 acres) burned across the country. Firefighters were still battling 29 of the blazes by the afternoon, while 40 had been brought under control.
In the towns of Estrella and Navidad, southwest of the capital, the fires burned nearly 30 homes, and forced evacuations near the surfing resort of Pichilemu.
