The death toll from the severe forest fires in Chile has risen to at least 51. According to Chilean media reports, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá confirmed this on Saturday evening (local time). 45 died directly in the fires, and 6 others died later in hospital from their serious injuries. A number of people were still missing. Given the circumstances, it is expected that the death toll will rise, President Gabriel Boric said earlier in the evening.
The forestry authority registered 143 fires across the country on Saturday, covering an area of around 21,000 hectares. According to media reports, almost 1,000 houses were damaged.
On Friday, the President had already declared a state of emergency in the affected areas due to the disaster in order to be able to mobilize all the necessary resources. He has now also instructed the Ministry of Defense to deploy more military units. “Our priority is to save lives,” said Boric.
In summer in the southern hemisphere, serious forest fires occur again and again in Chile. However, there is suspicion that at least some of the fires were started intentionally.
