At least 19 people have died in devastating forest fires in Chile. Interior Minister Carolina Tohá said on Saturday that a minor was among the victims in the Pacific coast city of Vina del Mar.
The number of deaths is still preliminary, because emergency services have not yet been able to reach all areas affected by the fires. The forestry authority registered 143 fires across the country on Saturday, covering an area of about 21,000 hectares. According to media reports, almost 1,000 houses were damaged.
State of emergency in affected areas
Due to the disaster, President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in the affected areas in order to mobilize all necessary resources. A curfew was also imposed for the morning to facilitate evacuation, firefighting and rescue efforts.
Are some fires started deliberately?
In summer (the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are shifted by half a year compared to the Northern Hemisphere, note) serious forest fires occur again and again in Chile. There is suspicion that at least some of the fires were deliberately set, Interior Minister Tohá said.
Source: Krone
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