Chile Wildfires: Nearly 100 Lives Lost, Hundreds Still Missing; President Declares Emergency

The deadly wildfires in Chile have claimed at least 99 lives resulting in the state of emergency declaration as smoke blankets coastal cities, compelling residents to evacuate, according to the government's Legal Medical Service (SML).

President Gabriel Boric, after surveying the affected areas, announced national mourning days on Monday and Tuesday to honor the victims of the wildfires. He cautioned that the death toll is expected to rise significantly, as reported by CNN.

In response to the crisis, a curfew has been imposed in Vina del Mar, Quilpue, Villa Alemana, and Limache to facilitate firefighting efforts. Valeria Melipillan, the mayor of Quilpue, described the fire as one of the largest in the region's history, with approximately 1,400 homes damaged.

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#Quilpué #Emergencia Víveres siguen siendo distribuidos entre familias damnificadas. @Senapred Estamos trabajando arduamente para enfrentar esta catástrofe y distribuir los recursos de la mejor forma posible. La coordinación con distintas entidades es vital. pic.twitter.com/eaS4k45Ngh

— Valeria Melipillán (@ValeMelipillan) February 4, 2024

Despite evacuation efforts, some residents have been hesitant to leave their homes, complicating rescue operations. Pope Francis urged prayers for the victims and their families affected by the devastating wildfires. "Pray for the deceased and injured victims of the devastating fires that have affected central Chile,” he wrote on X.

President Boric announced that the defense ministry would deploy additional military personnel and supplies to the affected areas to assist in firefighting efforts. The wildfires, though not as extensive as those in 2023, are spreading rapidly and pose a significant threat to urban areas. In February 2023, fires in the country swept through more than 400,000 hectares and killed more than 22 people.

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The fires erupted amid a heatwave gripping Chile and other Latin American countries. Boric declared a state of emergency and issued red alerts for vulnerable areas to mitigate the impact of the wildfires.

(With agency inputs)