At least 19 dead in Chile wildfires as government declares ‘state of catastrophe’
Wildfires spread through Chile leaving 19 dead and 1,500 homeless
- Devastating forest fires in central and southern Chile have claimed at least 19 lives and left approximately 1,500 people without homes.
- The blazes, which erupted on Sunday, have swept through thousands of acres and are being exacerbated by a summer heatwave and unusually high temperatures.
- Five major wildfires remained active on Monday, with officials warning that adverse weather conditions could lead to their reignition.
- Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the central Biobio and neighbouring Nuble regions to enhance coordination with the military.
- This outbreak is considered one of the deadliest in recent years, following massive fires in 2024 that killed at least 130 people.