Marcelo sent condolences to the President of Chile over the deaths in forest fires

This Sunday, the President of the Republic expressed condolences to his Chilean counterpart Gabriel Boric for the “growing number of victims” caused by the wave of forest fires ravaging the country.

“In view of the wave of forest fires engulfing Chile and the growing number of grieving victims, the President of the Republic sent a message of condolences to his counterpart, the President of the Republic of Chile, Gabriel Boric,” the statement said. – in a message published on the official website of the President of the Republic.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasizes that he expressed “on his own behalf and on behalf of the Portuguese people, all the solidarity with the Chilean people and, in particular, with the families of the victims and citizens evacuated from the most affected regions.”

Chile’s government on Saturday described multiple wildfires plaguing the country as its worst tragedy in 14 years, while the death toll rose to 51.

“After the 2010 earthquake, the forest fires in Valparaiso will become an emergency situation that has recently caused the greatest number of casualties in Chile,” the interior minister said at a press conference.

Caroline Toja was referring to the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile on February 27, 2010, killing 525 people and injuring thousands and causing a tsunami that reached the coast of Japan.

The minister warned that the number of deaths is expected to continue to rise. A previous report issued by Chilean President Gabriel Boric reported 46 deaths.

The mayor of Viña del Mar, one of the cities hardest hit by the fire, said 372 people were missing.

Carolina Toja previously stated that in the central region of Valparaiso, 100 kilometers from the capital of Santiago de Chile, where the Viña del Mar district, whose beaches are currently popular, is located, 92 fires continue and 43 thousand hectares have already burned. summer in the southern hemisphere.

Authorities said at least 1,100 homes were destroyed, four hospitals and three nursing homes had to be evacuated and thousands of people were asked to leave their homes.

After the fires, Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in order to “have all the necessary means.” Authorities mobilized 19 helicopters and more than 450 firefighters to fight the fire.

Temperatures have been close to 40 degrees Celsius in central Chile and Santiago since Wednesday.

A heat wave resulting from the El Niño climate phenomenon is currently hitting southern Latin America in midsummer, causing wildfires exacerbated by global warming. A heat wave threatens Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil in the coming days.