The Chilean Undersecretary of the Interior, Manuel Monsalve, reported that The number of deaths in the devastating fires that hit the Valparaíso region, 100 kilometers west of Santiago, increased to 112, of which only 32 have been identified.
Following the meeting of the Disaster Risk Management Committee (Cogrid), based on the latest data collected by the Legal Medical Service (SML), Monsalve explained that there would be a total of almost 40,000 people affected due to the destruction of homes – whether completely or of lesser intensity.
According to the official projection, which has yet to be verified on the ground, In Viña del Mar there would be an impact of up to 12,122 homes, while in Quilpué, another of the epicenters of the fire, there would be 2,700.
The Chilean president, Gabriel Boric, said this Sunday that «It is the greatest tragedy that we have experienced as a country since the earthquake of February 27, 2010.«.
The authority confirmed that today’s weather conditions are expected to continue tomorrow, to facilitate extinction efforts.
«The main change is that we are going to stop having extreme conditions, high temperatures will remain, but not extreme, and we will have cloudiness in the mornings, which is more favorable for fire control«he explained.
The forecasts indicate that, if the weather and the work continue, the largest focus, that of the Lago Peñuelas/Las Tablas Reserve, next to the main highway in the area, which has already burned about 8,500 hectares, and that of Lo Moscoso, in Quilpué, with 1,550 hectares burned, could be controlled during the next few days.
«There is no imminent risk to people’s lives, but they are active and work continues.added Monsalve.
Curfew
The Government decided to advance the curfew from 6:00 p.m. local time (21:00 GMT) in the sectors that have not yet been evacuated from the towns of Quilpué, Villa Alemana, Limache and Viña del Mar, a measure that seeks to facilitate rescue efforts and clear evacuation routes.
Due to the simultaneity of the fires and the place where they started, authorities believe that several fires could have been intentional.
«It is difficult to think that there could be such miserable and heartless people capable of generating so much death and pain, but if these people exist, we are going to look for them, we are going to find them, and they will have to face the rejection not only of the entire society but also of the entire world. weight of right and law»Boric said this Sunday, declaring two days of national mourning starting on Monday.
According to the balance provided by Monsalve, There are 165 fires recorded in the countrys, 11 more than on Saturday, of which 40 are still in combat, 112 are controlled and four are extinguished.
In addition, this Sunday afternoon the alarms went off due to a forest fire in the commune of Galvarino, in the southern region of La Araucanía, which, according to the undersecretary, has so far burned 10 hectares and has required the evacuation of the residents of the community. area.
«There is damage to agricultural land, but there is no damage to houses at this time.«said the authority about this new focus.
«Firefighting is being carried out in different places in Chile. There is no place that will be left unprotected«, he concluded.
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**Interview with Manuel Monsalve, Chilean Undersecretary of the Interior: The Crisis in Valparaíso Region**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Undersecretary Monsalve. The fires in the Valparaíso region have been devastating. Can you provide us with an update on the situation?
**Monsalve:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the latest reports indicate that the death toll has tragically risen to 112, with only 32 of the deceased identified so far. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families during this incredibly difficult time.
**Editor:** That’s certainly heartbreaking news. How many people have been affected by these disasters?
**Monsalve:** Almost 40,000 individuals have been impacted due to the destruction of homes, whether they were completely destroyed or suffered significant damage. In Viña del Mar alone, we expect around 12,122 homes to be affected, along with approximately 2,700 in Quilpué, which has also been heavily impacted.
**Editor:** President Gabriel Boric described this as the greatest tragedy since the 2010 earthquake. How is the government responding to this crisis?
**Monsalve:** We are treating this situation with utmost seriousness. The Disaster Risk Management Committee (Cogrid) is working tirelessly to address the ongoing challenges. Fortunately, the weather conditions are changing for the better, which should aid our firefighting efforts.
**Editor:** What are those changes in the weather, and how will they affect firefighting operations?
**Monsalve:** The extreme conditions we faced are expected to ease, although high temperatures will remain. We anticipate cloud cover in the mornings, which typically helps in controlling fires. We believe that with these improvements and ongoing efforts, we may be able to control the largest fire to date, located at Lago Peñuelas/Las Tablas Reserve, within the next few days.
**Editor:** That’s hopeful news. Is there any immediate risk to the safety of residents in the affected areas?
**Monsalve:** As of now, there is no imminent threat to people’s lives. However, the situation remains fluid, and we’re continuing our efforts around the clock to ensure safety and provide assistance where needed.
**Editor:** have any measures, like a curfew, been implemented to help manage the situation?
**Monsalve:** Yes, we have instituted a curfew in certain areas to help maintain order and ensure public safety as we navigate through this crisis. We appreciate the cooperation of the community as we work together to recover from this tragedy.
**Editor:** Thank you, Undersecretary Monsalve, for your insights and updates. Our thoughts are with all those affected in the Valparaíso region.
**Monsalve:** Thank you for your support and for bringing attention to this crucial issue.
