At least 26 people have died as a result of the wave of fires affecting areas of central and southern Chile, which has already burned some 280,000 hectares, according to the balance released Monday by the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED).
Of the deaths, 18 correspond to the Biobío region, although seven victims have also been registered in Araucanía and one in Ñuble. Biobío also accounts for approximately half of the 1,159 homes that have been completely destroyed by the flames.
The authorities have promised to prosecute those directly or indirectly responsible for the fires and, as of Monday, twelve people have been arrested. The penalties associated with this type of crime range from five to 20 years in prison.
Chile has accumulated some 280 fires throughout the country, although SENAPRED lists 69 of them as «in combat», thus recognizing that they are advancing out of control. Hundreds of troops are working in the extinction tasks, in which countries from Latin America as well as from outside the region are also collaborating, having committed equipment and personnel in the last hours.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
