The Chilean authorities have lowered Tuesday from 26 to 24 people the death toll from the wave of fires affecting areas of central and southern Chile, which has already burned more than 293,000 hectares.
The vice-minister of the Interior, Manuel Monsalve, has delivered a new balance rectifying the previous one, provided on Monday, and confirmed the death of 24 people, as well as the number of 2,180 injured in different regions of the country.
In addition, 17 people are currently in custody for allegedly intentionally starting the fires, while the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI) is carrying out 23 investigations, as reported by ADN Radio.
With respect to the fires, there are 309 active fires and 174 controlled fires, which have so far destroyed 1,145 homes and damaged a score of schools.
The meteorological situation continues with high temperatures, so that red alerts continue in the regions of Biobío, Ñuble and La Araucanía, as well as in various localities in the regions of Maule, Los Ríos and Los Lagos.
Hundreds of troops are working in the firefighting efforts, in which countries from Latin America and outside the region are collaborating by providing equipment and personnel.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
