The number of deaths from the fires in Chile rose to 51, the Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) reported at a press conference.
See the situation in Chile amid the fires in the photo gallery at the top of the article.
The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is monitoring the situation.
In a note released this Saturday (3), Itamaraty said that it works through the Consulate General of Brazil in Santiago “in order to provide appropriate consular assistance to nationals possibly affected by the impacts of the fires”.
The Brazilian government also said it expressed “deep regret for the significant number of deaths and injuries and for the material losses resulting from the forest fires that hit the Valparaíso region, in Chile”. “The Brazilian government expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims, as well as the Chilean people and government”, completes the statement.
Earlier, Chile's President Gabriel Boric said 40 people had died during the fires and another six while being treated in hospitals for burns.
“Given the conditions of the tragedy, the number of victims will certainly increase in the coming hours,” Boric said.
Likewise, the mayor of Viña del Mar, Macarena Ripamonti, said that there were also 372 people missing, although the information should be verified with the competent bodies, as she explained in statements to the press.
According to Senapred, as of 10pm this Saturday, 37 forest fires remain in combat, while 46 have already been controlled.
The agency also reported that the damage affected many homes, 70% of which were part of lots and 30% of houses.
In addition, 15 shelters were set up and, as of Saturday night, there were 1,600 people in them.
Chilean Interior Minister Carolina Tohá reported damage to at least 1,100 homes and told reporters the numbers could rise as authorities enter hard-to-reach areas.
Source: CNN Brasil
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