The death toll from the ferocious wildfires engulfing central Chile surged to 112 people on Sunday, prompting President Gabriel Boric to caution that this grim number was poised to rise significantly as rescue teams combed through charred neighborhoods.The relentless fires, exacerbated by an intense summer heat wave, continue to ravage the coastal tourist region of Valparaiso, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) over the weekend.#Chile is currently facing deadliest #forest #fire on the record.At least 112 people have been killed by forest fires in Chiles Valparaíso region.Many of those affected were visiting the coastal region during the summer holidays.Place is seeing intense summer heat wave,… pic.twitter.com/yfv6oC0gEt— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) February 5, 2024Abraham Mardones, a witness to the inferno, recounted narrowly escaping the fast-paced blaze that tore through Viña del Mar. Mardones said that the fire consumed her home. She added that the only thing that is with her is the dog. Upon his return to the area, Mardones discovered several neighbors who had tragically lost their lives in the flames. Dead toll likely to riseThe Interior Ministry reported 112 confirmed dead victims, with 32 identified, and 40 active fires still raging across the country.President Gabriel Boric, addressing the devastated community of Quilpue said We know it is going to increase significantly. He declared the wildfires the countrys deadliest disaster since the 2010 earthquake and tsunami that claimed 500 lives.The Mayor of Viña del Mar Macarena Ripamonti revealed that 190 people remain missing in the city, adding to the complexity of the ongoing crisis.Chile declares state of emergency over deadly wildfiresBoric, who visited survivors at a hospital in Viña del Mar, declared a state of emergency and pledged government support to aid recovery efforts. The Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service reported nearly 26,000 hectares (64,000 acres) burned across central and southern regions by Sunday.((VIDEO NOT MINE))I insist to keep praying for Chile and to help the damaged as much as we all possibly canIts been literally HELL. We will have a national mourning on Monday & Tuesday pic.twitter.com/cOqi3DKW06— Grandmaster 𝙏𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢 • 𝘽𝙤𝙮 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙤 (@barbartlebee) February 4, 2024Over 1,400 firefighters, 1,300 military personnel, and volunteers are tirelessly battling the flames, supported by 31 firefighting helicopters and airplanes. Alvaro Hormazabal, chief of Senapred (Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service), accepted the challenging weather conditions, stating, Conditions are going to continue to be complicated.Authorities have imposed a curfew, and evacuation orders have been issued to thousands in affected areas. Entire blocks of houses around Viña del Mar have been reduced to ashes, with tragic scenes of victims lying on the roads.Pope Francis, in response to the catastrophe, called for prayers for the dead and wounded in the devastating fires in Chile. According to the scientists, the fires intensified by a summer heat wave and El Niño-induced drought, underline the heightened risk of natural disasters amid a warming planet.
