Chile Wildfire Update: Death Toll Hits 122 as Hundreds Still Missing
The death toll from central Chile's wildfires reached 122 on Monday. Helicopters deployed massive water drops to combat the blazes while emergency crews continued to discover bodies in the aftermath, underscoring the devastating impact of the fires that erupted three days prior. JAVIER TORRES/AFP via Getty Images

The death toll from rampant Chile wildfire has surged to at least 122 people, with hundreds still missing, according to authorities per Al Jazeera.

President Gabriel Boric issued a grim warning, stating that casualties would likely rise significantly as fires continue to rage in the central region of Valparaiso.

President Boric addressed the nation on Sunday, expressing grief over the devastating situation.

"It is Chile as a whole that suffers and mourns our dead," Boric said, emphasizing the widespread impact of the Chile wildfire while acknowledging the enormity of the tragedy.

"We are facing a tragedy of very great magnitude," he added.

Authorities reported many people missing in and around the popular beach resort of Viña del Mar, one of the areas most severely affected.

President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency on Friday, underscoring the severity of the crisis.

He pledged support for those grappling with the aftermath, stating, "We are together, all of us, fighting the emergency. The priority is to save lives."

Chile Wildfire: Viña del Mar's Devastation

Viña del Mar's Mayor Macarena Ripamonti revealed that at least 370 people were reported missing in the city, which has around 300,000 residents, AP reports.

The fires particularly ravaged neighborhoods perched precariously on mountains to the east of Viña del Mar, a popular beach resort known for its annual international music festival.

Officials raised concerns that some wildfires around Viña del Mar may have been intentionally provoked. Dry weather, strong winds, and low humidity exacerbated the fire's rapid spread.

The affected regions, including Santiago, are now utilizing schools and public buildings as depots for donations of water, food, candles, and shovels.

Police in Viña del Mar and nearby towns have urged unaffected residents to stay at home to facilitate the movement of rescue crews.

Hundreds of affected individuals returned to their homes on Monday, sifting through debris.

Many expressed a preference to stay near their homes to prevent looting and safeguard what remains of their belongings.

Ongoing Fires and Climate Factors

Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve reported 165 active fires on Sunday, up from 154 the previous day, Reuters noted.

Hardest-hit regions are under curfew, and the military has been deployed to aid firefighters.

Monsalve expressed hope that slightly lower temperatures and cloud cover might assist firefighting efforts in the coming days.

Authorities are investigating the potential intentional start of fires, and the Chilean investigative police force (PDI) is actively involved in the inquiry.

The region, facing a severe heatwave, is also grappling with the impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon, contributing to extreme weather conditions.

Jesica Barrios, who lost her home in Viña del Mar, described the rapid escalation of the fire.

"The fire reached the botanical park, and then, in ten minutes, it was already on us. There was smoke, the sky turned black, everything was dark. The wind felt like a hurricane. It was like being in hell," she said.

The situation remains critical as rescue efforts intensify and Chileans mourn the lives lost in this catastrophic Chile wildfire.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Deadly wildfires burn across Chile - From ABC News