Forest fires in the Valparaiso region, home to nearly one million people in central Chile, have claimed at least 51 lives, with authorities expecting the death toll to rise, Reuters reports.
Chile faces escalating wildfires, with the affected area rapidly expanding to 43,000 hectares from 30,000 between Friday and Saturday. Firefighters, using helicopters and trucks, are struggling to contain the fires, especially in areas around the tourist city of Vina del Mar.
Interior Minister Carolina Toha expressed concerns about Valparaiso’s delicate condition, stating it’s the country’s worst disaster since the 2010 earthquake. Last year, a heat wave led to wildfires that claimed 27 lives and affected over 400,000 hectares.
