KABUL: At least 19 people have died, and hundreds more have been forced to leave their homes, following wildfires across various regions of Chile, Reuters reported today.
According to authorities, hundreds of homes have been consumed by the flames, and currently, fires continue to rage in over 30 different areas of the country.
The spread of the fires has been exacerbated by intense heat and strong winds, rendering efforts to control them ineffective.
Luis Cordero, Chile’s Minister of Security, expressed concerns about the potential for new fires in various regions due to the extreme temperatures.
Some central and southern areas of Chile are under severe heat warnings, with temperatures expected to reach up to 37 degrees Celsius.
Reports indicate that most of the victims are from the city of Pinkoyo, located north of the regional capital, Concepción.
Chile and neighboring Argentina have started 2026 with widespread wildfires affecting both countries.