- 1,429 people are in shelters.
- 554 people were injured.
- 16 individuals are in critical condition with severe burns.
Chile: According to government officials, at least 22 people have died as a result of massive forest fires in south-central Chile.
During a press conference on Saturday, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá confirmed the death toll at 22. According to her, there are 1,429 people in shelters, 554 injured, and 16 individuals in critical condition with severe burns.
Tohá stated that 28 of the hundreds of fires that have raged throughout Chile in recent days have burned the amount of forest and woodland that the country generally loses in a year.
The minister also mentioned record-high temperatures in several of Chile’s affected regions.
“The thermometer has reached levels that we’ve never seen until now,” Tohá said.
President Gabriel Boric said on Twitter on Saturday that neighboring Argentina will send firemen and equipment to attack the fires raging in Chile’s south-central region.
Boric said he had spoken to his Argentinian counterpart, Alberto Fernández, to “coordinate and thank Argentina in the fight against the fires. We will also receive machinery in addition to firefighters.”
Boric also stated that he will seek additional assistance in tackling the fires from other countries.
Boric said he had spoken to his Argentinian counterpart, Alberto Fernández, to “coordinate and thank Argentina in the fight against the fires. We will also receive machinery in addition to firefighters.”
Boric also stated that he will seek additional assistance in tackling the fires from other countries.
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