Serious forest fires have broken out in Chile. According to authorities, at least ten people were killed. Many houses were destroyed, including in the coastal town of Viña del Mar, which is popular with tourists.
Several people have died in severe forest fires in Chile. The local authorities in the Valparaíso region said that around ten deaths are currently assumed, but this is still preliminary information.
State of emergency declared
Almost a dozen forest fires are currently raging in the center and south of the South American country. According to reports, thousands of hectares of forest have been destroyed by the flames. They partially spread to houses, including in the coastal town of Viña del Mar, which is popular with tourists. Some places had to be evacuated.
President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in the affected areas. The aim is to mobilize all available resources to fight the fires.
Heat wave in large parts of the country
Several regions in Chile are currently facing a heat wave. According to the Chilean climate agency, temperatures of up to 37 degrees Celsius were expected over the weekend. Scientists attribute much of the heat to the cyclical weather phenomenon El Niño, which is warming the Pacific Ocean.
Because of the heat, many residents of the capital Santiago have headed to the country’s coastal areas, which are already full of holidaymakers and summer visitors from abroad.