A part of Chile is burning with forest fires.
In this country of South American continent, many houses, cars, shops have been burnt to ashes due to forest fire. Hundreds of people died in the fire.
According to official figures, so far 112 people have died in forest fires in Chile. According to news agency AFP, the fire broke out in the mountainous forests of central Chile.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed concern that the death toll could rise further. He had gone out on Saturday afternoon to inspect the affected areas by helicopter. In 2010, 500 people died in the Chile earthquake and tsunami.
After that, forest fire is the biggest disaster in this country. At the end of any year, a kind of warm southerly current is formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean along the western coast of the South American continent along Chile, Peru, Ecuador. This is called ‘El Nino’.
Experts believe that the fire was caused by tropical heat waves. This year it has also affected other Latin American countries.
The worst fire in the history of Chile
According to Chile’s Interior Minister Carolina Toha, the fire is the deadliest fire in Chile’s history. By Sunday, about 64,000 acres of settlements in central and southern Chile had burned.
The coastal city of Viña del Mar and its surrounding areas have been most affected by forest fires in Chile. The city’s famous botanical garden, built in 1931, has been burnt to ashes.
Viña del Mar became a city of death
About 1,600 people are homeless in Viña del Mar. The city has now become just a picture of helplessness. Many people are grieving the loss of homes and relatives. The city of Viña del Mar has practically become a city of death as the fire raged for four consecutive days.
Pictures of the dead wrapped in white sheets have also surfaced. In the heat of the wildfires, temperatures have risen significantly in many parts of central Chile.
Members of Chile’s disaster response forces are working day and night to extinguish the fire. About 1,400 fire department personnel and 1,300 soldiers and 31 fire fighting helicopters are carrying out relief efforts.
Argentina also promised help
By Sunday afternoon the death toll crossed 100. Out of which 32 people have been identified. Chile’s disaster management chief Alvaro Hormazable said that as of Sunday morning, fires were burning in 34 places. Fire is under control at 43 other places.
Harmzabal said there was a delay in extinguishing the fire due to weather. The spread of forest fires in Chile has become widespread since Friday. On Friday the government closed the road connecting Valparaiso and the capital, Santiago.
By Saturday the fire had spread considerably. The government ordered thousands of people to evacuate their homes. The government there has promised to provide financial assistance to the victims. Neighboring country Argentina has also promised to support Chile in danger.