A catastrophic fire at a nursing home in Pitrufquen, located in the Araucania region south of Santiago, Chile, has led to the tragic death of 16 residents, local authorities announced on Saturday.
The fire erupted on Friday evening and was extinguished by firefighters the following morning. The municipality expressed its sorrow and shock over the loss of life.
At the time of the incident, 26 residents were in the facility, with only ten survivors who were subsequently taken to a hospital approximately 640 kilometers from the capital, as reported by Mayor Jacqueline Romero.
Social media showed dramatic images of flames engulfing the building as dozens of firefighters were deployed to the scene.
Currently, multiple investigations are underway to determine the origin and cause of the fire, as well as to rule out any third-party involvement, according to prosecutor Jorge Granada, who is overseeing the case.
