© EPA-EFE
The forest fires in central Chile have already killed at least 64 people. President Gabriel Boric said this on Sunday. He warned that the death toll is likely to rise significantly.
According to Interior Minister Carolina Toha, more than 300 people are still missing. The minister said it may be the worst disaster in the country since the 2010 earthquake, when more than 520 people died.
According to authorities, there were 159 fires in Chile on Sunday, covering an area of almost 28,000 hectares. Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed. Curfews have been imposed in some places to facilitate the work of rescue workers.
A state of emergency is in force in the country. President Boric announced this to mobilize all necessary resources. The defense ministry also said it would now deploy more military units.
Chile is currently hit by a heat wave and drought, caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon. These cause forest fires, which are further exacerbated by global warming. After Chile and Colombia, the heat wave will also threaten Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil in the coming days.
© REUTERS
© EPA-EFE
© EPA-EFE
© EPA-EFE
© EPA-EFE
© EPA-EFE
© EPA-EFE
© EPA-EFE