20 people died in forest fires in Chile 0 12

"As a result of these fires, 20 people have died: 19 in the Biobío region and one in the Ñuble region," said the minister at a press conference, adding that only six victims have been identified so far.

According to Elizalde, there are currently 31 active fire hotspots being extinguished. A red alert level has been declared in the Biobío, Ñuble, and Araucanía regions.

The fire has already engulfed 34,000 hectares, of which more than 27,000 are in the Biobío region alone.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of disaster due to the fires. More than 20,000 people have been forced to evacuate.

During the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile frequently suffers from severe forest fires. Last year, more than 100 people died as a result of the fires, and around 15,000 homes were destroyed or damaged.