Chile forest fires: At least 112 dead in Valparaíso region

Local authorities in Chile's Valparaíso region have reported that at least 112 individuals have tragically lost their lives due to forest fires.

Gabriel Boric, responding to the crisis, has declared a state of emergency and pledged to allocate "all necessary resources" to combat the situation.

This incident marks the deadliest forest fire in Chile's history, with many victims being tourists visiting the coastal region during the summer holidays.

In response to the emergency, the health ministry has issued a health alert in Valparaíso, prompting the suspension of elective surgeries and the establishment of temporary field hospitals. To alleviate the strain on the healthcare system, the ministry has announced plans to enlist medicine students close to completing their studies.

Despite efforts, rescue services have faced challenges reaching the most severely impacted areas. Interior Minister Carolina Tohá has warned that the death toll is expected to rise significantly in the coming hours.

The Chilean government has strongly advised against travel to the affected areas to mitigate further risks.

Rodrigo Pulgar, a 61-year-old resident of El Olivar, likened the experience to "hell" as he recounted the harrowing events to the AFP news agency. He recounted his attempt to aid his neighbor before realizing that his own home was engulfed in flames. "Ash was raining down on us," he added.

Pulgar lamented the predominantly elderly population in El Olivar and expressed sorrow over his neighbor's death, emphasizing that they were unable to rescue her.

According to the housing ministry, between 3,000 and 6,000 houses suffered from the fires' impact.

In response to the crisis, authorities imposed a curfew on Saturday for residents in Viña del Mar, Limache, Quilpué, and Villa Alemana, underscoring the severity of the situation.

Mr. Boric emphasized that the implementation of the curfew aims to clear routes and facilitate the access of emergency vehicles to the affected areas.

In a national address, the interior minister disclosed that 1,400 firefighters would be mobilized on Sunday to combat the ongoing crisis.

Military personnel have joined forces with emergency services, while investigations into the fires' origins are underway.

In a bid to prevent further exacerbation of the situation, the government has prohibited the use of fire and heat-producing machinery in Valparaíso and the neighboring Marga Marga region.

Valparaíso, situated 116 km (72 miles) from Santiago, attracts numerous tourists during the summer months.

Last year, the regions of Biobío and Ñuble, located further south from Valparaíso, endured devastating wildfires, signaling a worrying trend of increasing frequency and severity.