The Chilean Police Investigation (PDI) detained a firefighter on suspicion of being involved in the fires that occurred in 2023 in the Valparaíso region and that caused mass deaths, BioBioChile reported on May 24.
The arrest of Francisco Ignacio Mondac Mella, 22 years old, was carried out by the Investigation Brigade of Crimes against the Environment and Cultural Heritage (Bidema) of Valparaíso. The detainee would be a volunteer with the thirteenth fire department of the community of Valparaíso.
Additionally, Chilean prosecutors announced the arrest of a second person allegedly involved in the fires. According to preliminary information, the detainee is an employee of the National Forestry Corporation of Chile (Conaf).
We remind you that on February 2 and 3, forest fires devastated several communities in the Valparaíso region. The gigantic disaster affected, in particular, the communes of Viña del Mar, Quilpue and Villa Alemana. 137 people died in the fire and 16 thousand people were injured by the fires.
In 2023, Chilean Interior Minister Carolina Toja said that a quarter of the forest fires ravaging southern and central Chile were started deliberately. The official pointed out that the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) annually evaluates the number of fires and their intentionality. As of February 17, 2023, 600 reports of deliberate arson had been investigated. “This year we have about 25% intentional fires.”Tokha said. The minister clarified that in 2022, 26% of the fires were intentional; in 2021 30%; and in 2020 42%.
Let us keep in mind that the fire service in Chile is not organized by the State, but by volunteers who put out fires in their free time from their main job and do not receive a salary for their work. Several times a year, Chilean firefighters take to the streets and beg passersby to raise money to buy equipment and pay for the rental of machinery and equipment.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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