Chile forest fires: At least 112 dead in Valparaíso region
At least 112 people have died due to forest fires in Chile’s Valparaíso region.
Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency and pledged to deploy “all necessary resources” to address the situation.
This incident is believed to mark Chile’s deadliest forest fire in recorded history, with many victims being visitors to the coastal region during the summer holidays.
In response to the emergency, the health ministry in Valparaíso implemented a health alert, calling for the suspension of elective surgeries and permitting the establishment of temporary field hospitals.
Rescue services have faced challenges in reaching the most severely affected areas, and Interior Minister Carolina Tohá warned that the death toll is expected to rise significantly in the coming hours. The Chilean government has issued a plea for people to avoid travelling to the fire-affected areas.