Death toll of Chile wildfires reaches 99. In a devastating turn of events, wildfires in Chile have claimed the lives of at least 99 individuals, marking one of the most lethal incidents in the nation’s history, according to authorities on Sunday.
Alvaro Hormazabal, Chief of the National Disaster Service SENAPRED, reported that firefighters are actively contending with 34 ongoing blazes, while another 43 are under control.
During a visit to the wildfire-affected Quilpue area, President Gabriel Boric expressed his concerns, anticipating a rise in the death toll and describing the inferno as catastrophic, echoing the scale of the 2010 earthquake and tsunami.
Also read: Chile expands emergency as deaths from wildfires rise
The coastal Valparaiso region experienced scorching temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius over the weekend, adding complexity to ongoing rescue operations.
Hormazabal stressed the persistently challenging weather conditions, as officials overseeing victim identification reported 99 individuals accounted for, with 32 identified.
President Boric initially stated 64 casualties but acknowledged the expected significant increase, underscoring the magnitude of this disaster as the deadliest since the 2010 seismic events.
In response to the crisis, a state of emergency was declared, with President Boric pledging government support during his visit to the impacted areas.
The wildfires have ravaged nearly 26,000 hectares across central and southern regions, prompting a coordinated effort involving 31 helicopters, airplanes, 1,400 firefighters, and 1,300 military personnel and volunteers.
A curfew has been enforced, with evacuation orders affecting thousands in the affected regions.
Interior Minister Carolina Toha affirmed that the weekend’s blazes unequivocally represent the deadliest fire event in Chile’s recorded history. Pope Francis addressed the situation in his Sunday remarks, calling for prayers for the victims.
The wildfires are exacerbated by a summer heatwave and drought linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon, highlighting the broader global concern of a warming planet increasing the risk of natural disasters such as intense heat and fires.
As death toll of Chile wildfires reaches 99, the impact extends beyond Chile, as neighboring Argentina contends with wildfires in Los Alerces National Park, emphasizing the regional dimensions of these environmental challenges.
