Officials report death toll of 51 in Chile forest fires

Forest fires in Chile's Valparaíso region have resulted in the death of at least 51 people, making it the deadliest forest fire ever recorded in the country. President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of emergency and pledged to provide all necessary resources to combat the situation. Many of the victims were tourists visiting the coastal region during the summer holidays. To address the crisis, a health alert has been issued, leading to the suspension of elective surgeries and the establishment of temporary field hospitals. The Ministry of Health has also announced the recruitment of medical students to alleviate pressure on the healthcare system. Rescue operations have faced challenges in reaching the most affected areas, and the death toll is expected to rise significantly in the coming hours, as suggested by Interior Minister Carolina Tohá. The Chilean government has advised against traveling to the fire-affected areas. One resident described the situation in El Olivar as "hell," with ash engulfing the area. As a result of the fires, thousands of homes have been impacted. Curfews have been imposed in several towns to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles. Approximately 1,400 firefighters have been deployed, and investigations into the cause of the fires are underway. To prevent further escalation, the government has prohibited activities involving fire and heat-producing machines in Valparaíso and the nearby Marga Marga region. Valparaíso, located 116 km (72 miles) from Santiago, attracts numerous tourists during the summer season. The regional committee for disaster risk management reported that 45 victims were found dead at the scene, while six died from burn injuries in healthcare centers. Notably, Chile experienced deadly wildfires in the Biobío and Ñuble regions last year, suggesting an increasing frequency and severity of these incidents.