Chile's Interior Minister Alvaro Elissalde announced on Monday that at least 20 people have died in severe forest fires ravaging central Chile. Elissalde stated at a press conference: "There are 20 deaths due to these fires, 19 in the Biobio region and one in Ñuble," adding that only six victims have been identified so far. The minister noted that authorities are fighting 31 fires, and a red alert has been declared in the central areas of Biobio, Ñuble, and Araucanía. He also added that more than 34,000 hectares have been damaged by the fires, with the Biobio region being the hardest hit, with over 27,000 hectares destroyed. Chilean President Gabriel Borich declared a state of disaster due to the fires, which have forced the evacuation of more than 20,000 people. During the summer in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile frequently experiences severe forest fires. Last year, over 100 people lost their lives, and approximately 15,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.
