“Hell on earth”: Chile is hit by one of the deadliest forest fires in history

Forests are burning massively in Chile/Collage 24 Channel

A state of emergency has been declared in southern and central Chile due to large-scale forest fires. It is now known that more than 1,500 houses were destroyed and several dozen dead

The Valparaiso region was particularly affected. At least 51 people died there. It is also known about the dead in the province of Marga-Marga.

Deadly disaster

Now more than 400 people are also considered missing. The death toll is expected to rise.

Local authorities say the disaster was caused by extremely dry conditions and temperatures rising to 40 degrees.

The consequences of the hellish disaster in Chile/Photo by Javier Torres, AFP

The city took a number of measures to cope with the consequences of the disaster as quickly as possible. Local authorities evacuated people from the affected areas. Also, curfews were introduced in some cities in order to clear roads for ambulances so that they could quickly reach the victims.

In addition, the Ministry of Health ordered the suspension of elective surgeries and create temporary field hospitals. Final year students are hired to work in hospitals.

1,400 firefighters were involved in extinguishing forest fires. In addition to rescuers, military personnel are also working on the ground.

Natural disaster in Chile: video AP

In Chile they are trying to put out one of the largest fires in the country’s history: Al Jazeera video

Recall that in early January an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 occurred in central Japan. More than a hundred people died. More than half a thousand people were injured. More than a hundred people are considered missing. Scientists call this earthquake the strongest in the last four decades.