Chile declares state of catastrophe after wildfires kill at least 15

Wildfires raging across central and southern Chile have killed at least 15 people, scorched thousands of acres of forest and destroyed scores of homes, and President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the central Biobío region and neighbouring Ñuble, about 500km south of Santiago.

The emergency designation, officials said, allows greater coordination with the military to rein in two dozen wildfires that have blazed through 8,500 hectares and prompted 50,000 people to evacuate, according to the Chilean security minister, Luis Cordero. Firefighters were struggling to extinguish the flames as strong winds and scorching weather — with temperatures topping 38C — hampered efforts.

Local officials reported widespread destruction for hours and criticised the federal response: "Dear president Boric, from the bottom of my heart, I have been here for four hours, a community is burning and there is no [government] presence," said Rodrigo Vera, mayor of Penco. Residents described being surprised by the fires after midnight and trapped in their homes.

One municipality of Concepción in Biobío reported 253 homes destroyed. In Penco, where most of the deaths occurred, witnesses said charred bodies were found across fields, homes, along roads and in cars, and people recalled fleeing in the dark: "We fled running, with the kids, in the dark," said Juan Lagos.

Key Topics

World, Chile, Gabriel Boric, Biobío Region, Ñuble Region, Penco