Chile: The death toll resulting from the devastating forest fires in the Valparaiso region of central Chile has climbed to 131, as confirmed by the country’s Legal Medical Service (SML).
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the agency revealed that 35 of the deceased individuals have been identified, with medical and technical teams conducting 82 autopsies thus far, according to Xinhua news agency.
Of the deceased, eight have been formally handed over to their grieving families.
Expressing heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragedy, the SML reiterated its commitment to swift action in providing assistance to those impacted by the wildfires.
The infernos, which ignited last Friday under circumstances still under investigation, have ravaged over 9,700 hectares of land across various locations in the Valparaiso region.
As the fires continue to rage amid a heatwave sweeping through the South American country this austral summer, between 3,100 and 6,100 homes have suffered varying degrees of damage.
Responding to the emergency, authorities have declared a state of emergency for catastrophe, enabling the mobilization of additional resources and military assistance. Furthermore, a health alert has been issued in the region, accompanied by the enforcement of curfews in affected areas.