Forest fires kill 10 people in Chile and the president declares a state of emergency | world

At least 10 people have died due to forest fires in Chile, according to local authorities. Late Friday night (2), Chilean President Gabriel Buric decided to declare a state of emergency and disaster in the regions of Valparaiso and Marga Marga, which are the most affected.

Videos circulating on social media show the areas of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar covered in a cloud of dark smoke. Watch the video above.

In coordination with the National Forest Foundation (Conaf) and the Valparaíso Regional Presidential Delegation, CINAPRED Declare a red alert To the provinces of Marga Marga and Valparaiso due to Forest fires have been burning since Thursday (1).

A bulletin issued late Friday afternoon indicated a record number of 158 fires, with 37 fires still being fought. Together, the affected areas represent an area of ​​approximately 10,000 hectares.

The Chilean press claims that the fire has consumed more than 7,800 hectares of forest in the Valparaiso region, Conaf reports.

In addition to the deaths, the fire spread and destroyed homes, buildings and vehicles. The fires also interrupted vehicular traffic on several highways in Valparaiso. Nearly nine areas were evacuated.

“I've never seen anything like this before. It's very sad, because we left our home, but we can't move on. Everyone is trying to leave and it's impossible to move,” said manager Yvonne Guzman, who left her home in Quilpuy, about 90 kilometers from Santiago. .

The government formed a risk and disaster management committee to coordinate firefighting efforts. Buric stated that all measures are necessary to obtain all the necessary resources.

According to the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service, fire brigades, police, air transport aircraft and helicopters are in the area to try to control the fire.