Chile has declared a state of emergency as widespread forest fires, claiming at least 51 lives, continue to ravage the country. President Gabriel Boric expressed concerns about a potential increase in the death toll due to the ongoing tragedy.
Military units are being deployed to the affected provinces of Marga Marga and Valparaíso, with all necessary resources mobilized. A curfew has been instituted to facilitate emergency responses, especially in the face of approximately 92 active fires affecting around 43,000 hectares. Firefighters have managed to control 40 fires but are still battling 29.
The port city of Valparaíso is a focal point for emergency crews due to its proximity to urban areas, with 372 residents reported missing. One of the fires in Valparaíso has already consumed 6,800 hectares, causing extensive damage to 1,100 homes.
Authorities acknowledge the potential for an increased death toll as they assess information from inaccessible areas, with six reported casualties occurring in hospitals where individuals were being treated for burns.
