Wildfires spreading through the densely populated areas of central Chile claimed over 100 lives. An official two-day mourning period was declared by Chile government on Monday. Authorities still battle to doze off the fire intensifying due to high temparature and strong winds.
At least 112 people had been killed in the wildfires spreading across the regions.
Around 14,000 houses were damaged as the fire ravaged through coastal cities of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. Hundreds of people remain missing, said officials. At least 1,600 people were left without homes in Via del Mar. The city of 300,000 people is a popular beach resort.
On Sunday night, Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve said there were still 165 active fires. A curfew has been imposed in the hardest-hit regions and the military has been sent in to help firefighters stop the spread.
On Sunday morning Chilean President Gabriel Boric visited the town of Quilp, which was one of the worst affected towns in Chile. As many as 64 people were killed in the region, said officials.
Boric also said that the death toll is likely to further rise with many missing. Boric flew over some of the areas burned by the fires Sunday and visited a school that has been turned into a shelter for the displaced.
All of Chile is suffering Boric said. But we will stand up once again.
Curfews were declared in Via del Mar and the neighboring cities of Quilp and Villa Alemana as part of an effort to prevent looting.
