PHOTO State of catastrophe in Chile, following the devastating fires. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated
Fire in Concepcion Photo: UNAR Photo / Alamy / Profimedia
The president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, has declared a state of disaster in two regions in the south of the country following wildfires that have resulted in 16 deaths and the evacuation of 20,000 people, Reuters reports.
According to Chile's forestry agency, firefighters were battling 24 fires as of Sunday morning, the largest being one affecting the regions of Ñuble and Bíobío, where a state of catastrophe was declared. The regions are located approximately 500 kilometers south of the capital Santiago de Chile.
“Following the serious wildfires, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe in the Ñuble and Biobío regions,” Boric announced in a post on X.
Security Minister Luis Caldero said on Sunday morning that 15 deaths were confirmed in the Bíobío region, adding to the one announced on Saturday in Ñuble.
The fire has consumed nearly 8,500 hectares, endangering several communities in the two regions, prompting authorities to order evacuations. Nearly 20,000 people were evacuated and at least 250 homes were destroyed.
Authorities say strong winds and high temperatures helped the fires spread and hampered firefighters' ability to contain them. Much of the country is under a heat wave warning, with temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees.
Chile and Argentina have experienced several heat waves since the beginning of the year, which caused devastating fires in Argentina's Patagonia region earlier this month.
