At least 15 people have been confirmed dead as massive wildfires continue to sweep through southern Chile, forcing more than 50,000 residents to flee their homes, government authorities said on Sunday.
The fires, which have been burning for two consecutive days, are concentrated mainly in the Nuble and Biobio regions, located about 500 kilometres south of the capital, Santiago.
Security Minister Luis Cordero disclosed the casualty figures while providing updates on the rapidly escalating situation. President Gabriel Boric earlier declared a state of emergency in the affected regions as firefighters and emergency crews struggled to contain the flames, which have been intensified by strong winds and high summer temperatures.
According to officials, nearly 24 active wildfires are currently burning across different parts of the country, with the most severe damage recorded in Nuble and Biobio.
Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde described the situation as critical, noting that authorities are facing significant challenges in controlling the spread of the fires.
In a statement shared on social media, President Boric assured citizens that the government had mobilised all available resources to address the disaster. He explained that the declaration of a state of emergency allows the armed forces to support firefighting and evacuation efforts.
Director of the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response, Alicia Cebrian, said the majority of evacuations occurred in the Biobio cities of Penco and Lirquen, which together have an estimated population of 60,000 people.
Television footage from the affected areas showed intense flames engulfing residential neighbourhoods, with burned-out vehicles and destroyed properties lining the streets.
Chile has experienced increasingly destructive wildfires in recent years. In February 2024, multiple fires erupted near the coastal city of Viña del Mar, claiming 138 lives and affecting about 16,000 people, according to official records.
Authorities have urged residents in high-risk areas to comply with evacuation orders as firefighting operations continue.
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15 Killed, Over 50,000 Displaced as Wildfires Ravage Southern Chile
