A total of 18 individuals have lost their lives in the wildfires that have swept through regions of Chile amid a severe heatwave.
Over 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) of land in central and southern Chile have been engulfed by wildfires, according to reports from the Associated Press.
Efforts to combat the flames have been hindered by scorching temperatures exceeding 38C, along with strong winds persisting through the weekend and expected to continue into the following day.
Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde expressed concerns over the extreme weather conditions, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by firefighters in controlling the blazes.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the Biobio and Ñuble regions, situated approximately 500 kilometers south of Santiago, enabling the mobilization of resources and coordination with the military to tackle the numerous wildfires.
Boric acknowledged the rising death toll and destruction, with 18 casualties reported and over 300 homes razed by the fires. The president anticipated the number of affected residences in the Biobio region to exceed a thousand.
Residents recounted harrowing experiences of fleeing their homes as the fires rapidly approached, catching many off guard and resulting in tragic losses.
The devastation caused by the wildfires has once again struck Chile, a recurring phenomenon during the summer months, with the country still grappling with the effects of a prolonged drought.
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