Chile Mourns 122 Killed In Wildfire Inferno, Searches For Missing
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published February 06, 2024 | 07:21 PM
Chile began two days of national mourning Monday for at least 122 victims of a raging wildfire, with the search continuing for the missing as survivors pick through the scorched remains of their lives
Viña del Mar, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Feb, 2024) Chile began two days of national mourning Monday for at least 122 victims of a raging wildfire, with the search continuing for the missing as survivors pick through the scorched remains of their lives.
The streets were strewn with charred cars, debris and ash after flames tore through crowded hilltop neighborhoods in the coastal region of Valparaiso, in the world's third-deadliest wildfire this century.
"I still have a lump in my throat and, not so much for the material stuff, but I mean, I lost several neighborhood friends nearby, four more up there. That's what hurts the most," said Hugo de Filippi, a 34-year-old car mechanic.
In the resort town of Vina del Mar, one of the hardest hit areas, volunteers brought in water, clothing and food, while using shovels and brooms to help with the clean-up.
"There is no explanation. This is really a disaster. Today we are removing debris... then we will take what is needed to each house," said one volunteer, Camila Perez, 23.
The blaze engulfed homes and cars, their burned-out husks now littering the streets -- as it remained unclear if they had been parked and abandoned, or if they were occupied with residents trying to flee the narrow streets of the hillside communities.
The state forensic agency on Monday reported the toll stood at 122 dead, with only 32 of the victims identified.
President Gabriel Boric had warned Sunday that the earlier death toll of 112 could rise "significantly" and the search continued for victims.
Most of the fatalities have been in Vina del Mar, a popular tourist spot known for its beaches and botanical gardens.
The town's mayor, Macarena Ripamonti, told reporters on Sunday that "190 people are still missing" in the city, where 20,000 people have been affected by the fires.
Authorities renewed a nighttime curfew Monday between 9:00pm and 5:00am to facilitate the clean-up and the work of forensic services.
- 'It took only 10 minutes' -
The fires surged Friday in the region, fueled by winds and amid a brutal heatwave that has seen temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Authorities are investigating whether they were started deliberately.
While weather conditions were improving, teams were still fighting some 40 fires around the country.
Abraham Mardones, a 24-year-old welder who fled his burning home in Vina del Mar, told AFP he narrowly escaped the fast-paced inferno.
"We saw the fire on the hill in front of us. We looked out again and the fire was already at the walls of our house. It took only 10 minutes. The entire hill burned," he said.
"The fire consumed everything -- memories, comforts, homes. I was left with nothing but my overalls and a pair of sneakers that were given to me as a gift," Mardones told AFP. "I could only rescue my dog."
Upon his return on Sunday, he said he found several neighbors who had died in the flames.
Friends passed by driving a truck "carrying the burned bodies of their brother, their father, their daughter."
- 'Raining ash' -
According to Interior Minister Carolina Toha, the weekend blazes have been "without a doubt" the deadliest fire event in Chile's history.
"This was an inferno," Rodrigo Pulgar, from the town of El Olivar, told AFP. "I tried to help my neighbor... my house was starting to burn behind us. It was raining ash."
During his Sunday address, Pope Francis, a native of neighboring Argentina, called for prayers for the "dead and wounded in the devastating fires in Chile."
The fires are being driven by a summer heatwave and drought affecting the southern part of South America caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon. Scientists warn that a warming planet has increased the risk of natural disasters such as wildfires.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pakistan's total liquid foreign reserves surge over $ 14.62 billion
Women playing pivotal role in shaping digital future: Shaza
President PTF meets Chairman Air Sial for promotion of tennis in Pakistan
Committee set up to ensure the availability of medicines in hospitals
Madinah: Minister Salik expresses satisfaction over arrangements for Pakistani H ..
Government activating helpline to prevent domestic violence
RPO congratulates Samia Saleem over clinching success in CSS, joining police for ..
Bahrain calls for Mideast peace conference at Gaza-focused Arab League
McIlroy shares early lead at emotionally testing PGA Championship
Provincial adviser announces to construct hundreds of new veterinary hospitals
Unique Group, Traffic Police hold speech contest on road safety
Five family members involved in drug business arrested
More Stories From World
-
Madinah: Minister Salik expresses satisfaction over arrangements for Pakistani Hujjaj
2 hours ago -
Bahrain calls for Mideast peace conference at Gaza-focused Arab League
2 hours ago -
Lebanon state media say two dead in strike on a car in the south
2 hours ago -
Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei share over 7,000 standards
2 hours ago -
Israel says more troops to 'enter Rafah' as operations intensify
2 hours ago -
England set to ban gender identity teaching in schools
2 hours ago
-
UK's Labour sets out plans for government
2 hours ago -
President Xi: progress in China-Russia ties attributable to five principles
2 hours ago -
France deploys additional forces to quell New Caledonia unrest
3 hours ago -
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain reviews Hajj operation ..
3 hours ago -
Toshiba to cut up to 4,000 jobs in Japan
2 hours ago -
First batch of Somali pilgrims arrives in Madinah
2 hours ago