Firefighters in central Chile are battling massive forest fires that erupted two days ago, leaving at least 112 people dead as of Sunday. The blazes have prompted officials to extend curfews in the most affected cities while emergency services strive to contain the flames.
The fires have been most intense around the city of Viña del Mar, where a renowned botanical garden established in 1931 was destroyed. The disaster has left at least 1,600 people homeless, with several neighborhoods on the eastern outskirts of the city consumed by fire and smoke.
Residents found themselves trapped as flames engulfed homes, and authorities report that around 200 people are missing in Viña del Mar and surrounding areas. Viña del Mar, a coastal city with a population of 300,000, is a popular beach resort known for hosting a famous music festival each summer.
The situation remains critical as firefighters continue to wrestle with the wildfires. Efforts are focused on safeguarding lives and preventing further destruction, but the combination of dry conditions and strong winds is complicating containment operations.
