Fires in Chile LIVE | Last minute of the tragedy in Valparaíso that leaves at least 99 dead

The number of deaths in the devastating fires that hit the Valparaíso region, 100 kilometers west of Santiago, increased to 99, of which only 32 have been identified, the Legal Medical Service (SML) reported this Sunday. Chili. The Chilean president, Gabriel Boric, said this Sunday that the figure “is going to grow significantly” and that “it is the biggest tragedy that we have experienced as a country since the earthquake of February 27, 2010.” “One of the most pressing emergencies is to recover the bodies of the people who have died,” said the president from Quilpué, one of the towns most affected by the flames.

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A cadastre of the Municipality of Viña del Maranother city hit hard by the fire, estimates that there are more than 370 missingwhich does not imply that all of them are dead but does give an idea of ​​the magnitude of the catastrophe.

LOOK: Chile: at least 99 dead leave the country’s deadliest forest fires in a decade

To avoid a dance of figures and with the aim of centralizing the information, the president instructed that the only official spokesperson that will provide updates on the number of deaths is SML.

The institution explained in a statement that it “regrets the tragedy that the region of Valparaiso and informs that at this time all its technical, medical and administrative teams are present, with the support of professionals from Santiago, ready to face this emergency”.

According to the latest report from the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), there are at least seven active fires currently in Valparaísothe largest being the Lago Peñuelas/Las Tablas Reserve, next to the main highway in the area, which has already burned nearly 9,300 hectares.

This firealong with the one that develops in The Moscosowith 1,350 hectares burned, is of particular concern due to its virulence and its proximity to densely populated areas.

The Government decided to advance the curfew from 6:00 p.m. local time (9:00 p.m. GMT) in the sectors that have not yet been evacuated from the towns of Quilpué, Villa Alemana, Limache and Viña del Mara measure that seeks to facilitate rescue efforts and clear evacuation routes.

It is estimated that There are between 3,000 and 6,000 homes affected by the fire and the Ministry of Health decreed a health alert in the area.

The authorities are hopeful that the improvement in the weather conditions that are being recorded this Sundaywith a slight drop in temperatures and an increase in humidity, help control the outbreaks that are still active and allow rescue services to enter the most devastated areas.

Due to the simultaneity of the fires and the place where they started, Authorities believe several fires could have been intentionally set..

”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 not only the entire society, but also the entire weight of the law will have to face repudiation,” he assured. Boricwhich decreed two days of national mourning starting Monday.