Local officials in Chile have announced that at least 112 people have been killed by the forest fires burning in Chile’s Valparaíso area.
Gabriel Boric, the president of Chile, announced the declaration of a state of emergency and promised to employ “all necessary resources” to address the crisis.
The health ministry has issued a health notice in Valparaíso since many of the fatalities were vacationing in the area when the fire broke out, which is thought to be the deadliest forest fire in Chilean history.
In a statement, the health ministry ordered the establishment of temporary field hospitals, asked for the suspension of elective surgeries, and stated that medical students who are almost finished with their degrees will be hired to help relieve the strain on the health system.
Rescue workers have found it challenging to reach the most affected areas, and Interior Minister Carolina Tohá forecasts that the death toll will “approach significantly higher figures” in the coming hours.
The Chilean government has encouraged its residents not to go to the areas affected by the fire.
Affected properties ranged from 3,000 to 6,000, according to the housing ministry.
A curfew was implemented on Saturday for residents of Quilpue, Villa Alemana, Limache, and Viña del Mar intended to clear roads so that emergency vehicles can reach the affected areas, according to President Boric.
The interior minister, in a speech on Sunday, promised that 1,400 firemen would be dispatched.
In addition to emergency services, military forces have been sent and an investigation is on course to determine the cause of the fires.
To avoid worsening the already dangerous situation, the government prohibited the handling of fire and heat-producing machinery in Valparaíso and the nearby Marga district.
