- Forest fires kill 64
- Arson investigated
- Heatwave fuels flames
As a result of intense forest fires in the country’s centre that prompted a state of emergency and curfews in the most severely afflicted cities, at least 64 people have been killed in Chile.
It was anticipated that the mortality toll from the fires that broke out two days ago would increase. On Sunday, during a televised address to the nation, President Gabriel Boric stated, “We are all aware that number will increase, and it will increase substantially.”
Tens of thousands of Chileans had been preparing to spend their summer holidays in the coastal region of Valparaiso when the flames broke out amidst a heatwave. The main motorway was beset by traffic congestion, which impeded the progress of emergency personnel and ambulances.
Boric stated earlier that nocturnal curfews were implemented to “make room for emergency vehicles on the roads and to ensure that those who need to be evacuated can do so without delay.”
“Firefighters are struggling to contain the fires that are spreading out of control in a densely populated area of the coastal Valparaiso region,” Lucia Newman of Al Jazeera reported from Santiago.
The most intense fires have been raging in the vicinity of Vina del Mar, where a renowned botanical garden established in 1931 was engulfed in flames on Sunday. A minimum of 1,600 individuals were rendered homeless.
Perceived arson
“The president stated that ‘saving lives is of the utmost importance,'” Newman added, noting that the government has stated it will investigate arson as the cause of these fatal fires.
According to authorities, 200 people have been reported missing in the vicinity of Vina del Mar. In addition to being a popular beach resort, the 300,000-person city organises a renowned music festival in the summertime of the southern hemisphere.
Since Friday, the fires have destroyed thousands of hectares of forest in the central regions of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, engulfing coastal cities in a dense grey haze that has compelled residents to evacuate their dwellings.
On Sunday, Valparaiso administrator Rodrigo Mundaca suggested some fires were lit intentionally.
“These fires originated in four points where they ignited concurrently,” Mundaca explained. “As authorities, we shall diligently endeavour to identify the culprit.”
The conflagration that has engulfed the region surrounding Vina del Mar originated in inaccessible mountainous forests. Fires have spread into densely populated regions on the city’s edge despite authorities’ efforts to contain them.
Carolina Toha, the Minister of the Interior, stated, “We have indications from other locations that there may be additional fatalities. But we have no confirmation on the ground.”
Newman of Al Jazeera stated that the government was attempting to prevent plunder as well.
Newman stated, “Thousands of people were forced to evacuate in mere minutes, but some, particularly elderly individuals with limited mobility, were unable to escape in time.”
Climate Crisis Fuels Widespread Fires
The fire is being fuelled by an El Nino-induced summer heatwave and drought in the southern region of South America. Earth’s warming has raised the probability of natural disasters including high heat and flames, scientists say.
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Toha stated that the incident affected over 43,000 hectares (106,255 acres) and resulted in 92 active fires across the nation.
Southwest of the capital, in the communities of La Estrella and Navidad, flames have destroyed nearly thirty residences. This has compelled residents to evacuate in the vicinity of the surfing resort of Pichilemu.
“I have never witnessed anything comparable,” Yvonne Guzman, 63, told the AFP news agency. As the flames approached their Quilpue home, she and her elderly mother evacuated but were trapped in traffic for hours.
“This is extremely distressing; despite having evacuated the home, we are unable to proceed. There are numerous individuals attempting to escape but are unable to do so,” Guzman stated.
The heatwave in Chile and Colombia is likely to spread to Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil.
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