Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:32am on 04 Feb 2024,Sunday International
Forest fires ravaging Chile's Valparaíso region have claimed the lives of at least 51 people, marking the country's deadliest fire incident. President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency, mobilizing all available resources to combat the crisis. The health ministry issued a health alert in Valparaíso, suspending elective surgeries and deploying temporary field hospitals. Rescue efforts are hindered by the intensity of the fires, with Interior Minister Carolina Tohá warning of potentially higher casualties. The government urges people to avoid affected areas as firefighters and military personnel battle to contain the blaze. Last year's deadly wildfires suggest an escalating trend in Chile's fire emergencies.
