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image source, EPA
The Chilean government decreed a “state of emergency due to catastrophe” to deal with a gigantic fire in the city of Viña del Mar, some 120 kilometers from Santiago.
the fire has left two people dead, dozens injured and hundreds homeless, according to official information provided so far.
The Minister of the Interior, Carolina Tohá, reported this Friday that estimates of the damage caused by the flames are constantly evolving as emergency teams try to break through in the most affected areas.
“There are many areas that cannot be entered, there are active sources, preliminary estimates of up to 500 homes, but confirmed there are 130” that have been affected by the flames.
President Gabriel Boric suspended all his activities to visit the area.
rapid spread
The fire broke out quickly on Thursday followingnoon and progressed through the night. “The fire was enveloping and in a matter of minutes it changed due to the direction of the wind,” Alejandra Lastiva told the TVN news channel.
“Here it was hell, an unbearable heat, the soles of your feet burned”he added.
While investigations into the cause of the voracious fire continue, the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) announced that it had “human origin”.
image source, EPA
image source, EPA
The National Emergency Office, ONEMI, activated the red alert and ordered the evacuation of some areas due to the impossibility of containing the flames.
These continue to spread and it is feared that they may reach the gardens and the Palacio Quinta Vergara, from where the authorities are removing furniture and works of art to protect them.
The images published on social networks by the firefighters and other Chilean organizations attest to the aggressiveness of the fire.
The “state of constitutional exception of catastrophe“Gives power to the president to appoint a head of National Defense to take control of the area affected by fire.
image source, EPA
Nine helicopters, 12 brigades, five water cannon vehicles, seven tanker trucks and heavy machinery have been assigned to fight the fire, according to the Undersecretary of the Interior.
The Firemen, for their part, announced that they maintain 800 troops in action and more than 100 units “will continue working all night until the emergency is controlled.”
The authorities have also asked citizens not to try to go to the emergency and to stay at home or evacuate if they are near the affected area.
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