Forest fires in Chile cause multiple deaths and widespread destruction
At least 46 people have died from forest fires raging in central Chile, President Gabriel Boric has said, warning that the death toll is likely to rise.
Earlier on Saturday, Chile’s interior minister, Carolina Tohá, said there were currently 92 forest fires in the centre and south of the country, where temperatures were unusually high. More than 1,000 homes have been destroyed.
The deadliest of the fires were in the region of Valparaíso, where authorities urged people not to leave their homes so that fire engines, ambulances and other emergency vehicles could get through more easily.
No details were given about those who died.
She said that two fires near the towns of Quilpué and Villa Alemana had burnt through at least 8,000 hectares (19,770 acres) since Friday. One of the fires was threatening the coastal resort town of Viña del Mar, where some neighbourhoods have already been badly affected.
The aftermath of wildfire in Vina del Mar, Chile, seen on 3 February. Photograph: Rodrigo Garrido/Reuters
In Villa Independencia, a hillside neighbourhood on the eastern edge of town, several blocks of homes and businesses were completely destroyed. Burnt-out cars with broken windows lined the streets, which were covered in ashes.
“I’ve been here 32 years and never imagined this would happen,” said Rolando Fernández, one of the people who lost his home. He said he first saw the fire burning on a nearby hill on Friday afternoon. Within 15 minutes the area was engulfed in flames and smoke, forcing everyone to run for their lives.
“I’ve worked my whole life, and now I’m left with nothing,” Fernández said.
Vina del Mar, Chile on 3 February. Photograph: Esteban Félix/AP
Three shelters have been set up in the Valparaíso region, and 19 helicopters and more than 450 firefighters had been brought into the area to control the blazes, Tohá said. Rescue teams were still struggling to reach the most affected areas, she said.
The fires are burning on mountains that are hard to reach and have affected neighbourhoods that were built precariously on the edge of Viña del Mar.
Officials have also reported blackouts as a result of the fire. Tohá said that in the region of Valparaíso, four hospitals had to be evacuated as well as three nursing homes. The fire also destroyed two bus terminals.
The El Niño weather pattern has caused droughts and hotter-than-usual temperatures along the west of South America this year, increasing the risk of forest fires. In January, more than 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of forests were destroyed in Colombia by fires that followed several weeks of dry weather.