Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in two regions after deadly wildfires claimed at least 18 lives, with authorities warning that the death toll is expected to rise.
More than 50,000 people have been evacuated from the Ñuble and Biobío regions, located approximately 500 kilometers south of the capital, Santiago, according to reports cited by the BBC.
President Boric stated that emergency services remain on high alert as firefighters continue efforts to contain the blazes. The most dangerous fire has spread through dry forest areas bordering the coastal city of Concepción, posing a serious threat to populated zones.
Disaster management officials confirmed that around 250 homes have been destroyed, leaving thousands displaced and causing extensive damage to infrastructure.
Authorities have mobilized military and emergency resources to assist evacuations and firefighting efforts, as extreme weather conditions continue to fuel the fires.
