China News Service, February 5 (Xinhua) According to comprehensive foreign media reports, on the 4th local time, Chilean authorities stated that forest fires sweeping through the central part of the country had killed at least 99 people and left hundreds missing. Chilean President Boric warned that the country was facing a "serious tragedy."
According to Reuters, on the same day, the Chilean Legal Medical Service reported that the current death toll caused by forest fires has risen to 99, of which 32 have been identified.
On February 3, local time, the Viña del Mar wildfire spread in Chile.
Earlier in the day, Boric announced two days of national mourning starting on the 5th and said Chile should prepare for more bad news.
"The whole of Chile is suffering. We mourn the victims... We are facing a very serious tragedy," Boric said in a televised speech on the 4th.
According to CNN, approximately 372 residents of the Valparaiso region are missing. Chilean Interior Minister Toha said the death toll would continue to rise in the coming hours. He also said that this was the worst disaster to hit Chile since an earthquake in 2010 that killed 500 people.
Pulga, a local resident who was affected by the disaster, called the disaster scene "hell". "The burning ashes hit us like raindrops."
According to reports, central Chile is currently experiencing high temperature weather, with temperatures in some areas reaching as high as 40°C. According to preliminary statistics, as of now, there are 92 fires in Chile, with the burned area reaching 31,000 hectares. Currently, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
On the 2nd local time, Boric announced that the Valparaiso region has entered a state of disaster emergency due to the severe forest fire situation.