Wildfires raging in central Chile have killed at least 51 people and the death toll is likely to rise, authorities said on Saturday, as emergency services scrambled to extinguish the flames that threatened urban areas.
Black smoke billowed into the sky over many parts of Valparaiso province, home to nearly one million people in central Chile, as firefighters using helicopters and trucks struggled to put out the blaze.
The area around the coastal tourist town of Vina del Mar was among the worst hit and rescue teams were struggling to reach all affected areas, Chilean authorities said.
The death toll rose as five bodies were found on public roads, and information indicated “we will reach a higher figure” in the coming hours, Interior Minister Carolina Toha said.
“Valparaiso’s situation is the most delicate,” Toha said, saying the country was facing its worst disaster since the 2010 earthquake that killed about 500.
The area around the coastal tourist town of Vina del Mar has been among the worst affected and rescue teams are struggling to reach all affected areas. REUTERS The death toll rose as five bodies were found on public roads, and information indicated “we will reach higher figures” in the coming hours. AP Plumes of smoke rise into the sky as a helicopter flies over one of the wildfires that has spread to Vina del Mar. Chile on Saturday. AP
President Gabriel Boric told the nation in a televised address, “The situation is really very difficult.”
Forest fires are not uncommon in Chile during the summer. Last year, on the back of a record heat wave, about 27 people died and more than 990,000 acres were affected.
“Today’s fire area is much smaller than last year, (but) currently the number of affected hectares is increasing rapidly,” said Toha.
The sun appears red against a dark, smoke-filled sky on February 3, 2024. AP A helicopter flies over a wildfire as it tries to stop its spread on Saturday. AP A firefighter takes cover in a smoke-filled sky in Vina del Mar on Saturday. AP A resident flees a wildfire in Vina del Mar, Chile on February 3, 2024. AP Residents watch as plumes of smoke from a wildfire rise into the sky, in Vina del Mar. AP
Between Friday and Saturday the area affected by the forest fire increased to 110,000 acres from 74130.
Toha said authorities’ biggest concern is that some active fires are developing very close to urban areas “with a very high potential to affect people, homes and facilities.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
