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Chilean authorities expect severe toll from forest fires

Santiago, Chile, Jan 18 (Prensa Latina) The governor of Chile's Biobio region, Sergio Giacaman, estimated that the damage caused by the forest fires in the area will be very high, both in terms of lives and material losses.

Preliminary data reports two deaths; however, firefighters responding to the emergency speak of numerous bodies found in the burned-out homes, the official stated.

According to Giacaman, in the municipality of Penco, there are completely burnt neighborhoods, and many elderly people lived there who were unable to escape the flames.

“This is very dramatic and of enormous destructive power,” he affirmed, and called on the central government to declare a curfew as soon as possible to prevent the unnecessary movement of residents, who are hindering the work of the teams.

Regarding the destroyed homes, he said that there is still no census, but in his opinion, there must be thousands because, he reiterated, there are areas that are completely destroyed.

The governor also reported that the three highways connecting to Nuble region are closed to normal traffic to allow emergency vehicles to pass.

He reiterated that the areas surrounding Greater Concepcion are among the most affectedvonrs, mainly the municipalities of Penco and Lirquen, and expressed concern that the heat will increase significantly after midday, which, along with strong gusts of wind and erratic direction, will contribute to the spread of the flames.

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