Chile wildfires death toll rises to 131
Fires in Valparaíso said to be country’s deadliest disaster since 2010 earthquake
Tue 6 Feb 2024 18.28 GMT
The death toll from wildfires that ravaged central Chile for several days has risen to 131, and more than 300 people remain missing as the blazes appear to be burning themselves out.
President Gabriel Boric announced during a visit to the region that furniture used for the 2023 Pan American Games would be donated to victims. He said the government would also forgive the water bills for 9,200 affected homes.
The fires began on Friday on the mountainous eastern edge of Viña del Mar, a beach resort known for its Latin music festival. Two other cities, Quilpué and Villa Alemana, were also hit hard as the fires spread quickly in dry weather and strong winds.
The Viña del Mar festival cancelled its opening gala as a mark of mourning. Many participating singers, including Alejandro Sanz, Pablo Alborán and Maná, sent messages of solidarity and announced donations.
The Forensic Medical Service has said many bodies recovered from the fires were difficult to identify but forensic workers would take samples of genetic material from people reporting missing relatives.
Gabriel Leiva, 46, said: “My parents’ and my sisters’ house burned, and my neighbours – the people who knew me when I was little – died.” Going through debris in Viña del Mar, he said his neighbours were “family that is not of blood but of the heart”.
The United Nations offered its condolences and announced assistance. Boric tweeted his thanks to the US president, Joe Biden, for “his important support” after the disaster.
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