February 04, 2024
A state of emergency has been declared in the South American country of Chile after 51 people died as a result of the terrible forest fires.
A state of emergency has been imposed in central and southern Chile, while officials fear the death toll may rise.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric said during a televised address that the current situation is very tragic and the death toll is expected to increase in the next few hours.
He said that more troops will be deployed in the affected areas while all possible measures will be taken to protect the people.
According to media reports, more than 100,000 acres of land have been burnt to ashes as a result of fires in 92 places in the central and southern provinces of Chile.
Firefighters have brought the fire under control at 40 locations while work is underway at 29 locations, officials said.
Forest fires broke out in various parts of Chile as temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius, but at least one person has been detained in connection with the fire.
It is alleged that the man was doing welding work when the fire accidentally spread to the nearby grassland.
Firefighters are giving priority to the blaze in the Chilean coastal city of ValparaÃso because it is close to urban areas, where 372 people are missing.
So far 1100 houses have been damaged by the fire in this city.
