Uncontrolled wildfires swept through southern Chile, killing at least 19 people and forcing more than 50,000 residents to flee their homes, authorities said on Sunday. The fires have burned for two days across the Nuble and Biobio regions, about 500 kilometers south of Santiago.
Strong winds and high temperatures fueled the flames, allowing them to spread rapidly through towns such as Penco and Lirquen. Witnesses described scenes of panic as firestorms consumed homes within minutes. Many residents escaped with only the clothes they were wearing.
Officials said most of the deaths occurred in Penco, where entire neighborhoods were reduced to ash. In nearby Lirquen, residents ran to the beach to escape advancing flames. Soldiers patrolled affected areas as people worked through the night to clear debris and extinguish smaller fires.
President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency in the worst-hit regions and imposed nighttime curfews. Nearly 4,000 firefighters continue battling the blazes with support from the armed forces.
Authorities warned that weather conditions remain dangerous. Experts say climate change has increased wildfire risks in Chile, with recent years marked by extreme heat, drought, and devastating fire seasons.
