Hundreds Missing as Death Toll From Chile’s Wildfires Reaches 122

February 5th, 3:30 PM EST

By NEWSnet Digital Team

Wilidfire.

MGN via Pixabay

SANTIAGO, Chile (NEWSnet/AP) — Volunteers in Chile tried to remove charred metal and other debris Monday from neighborhoods devastated by wildfires, as officials raised the death toll to 122. Hundreds of people remain missing.

The fires appeared to have diminished by Monday morning after burning intensely since Friday in Viña del Mar. Two other towns in the Valparaiso region, Quilpe and Villa Alemana, also have been hit hard, and President Gabriel Boric said Sunday at least 3,000 homes were destroyed.

An additional 10 victims were added to the death toll on Monday afternoon, bringing it to 122, said Marisol Prado, the director of Chile’s Forensic Medical Service.

Prado said many bodies are difficult to identify, but forensic workers will collect samples of genetic material from people who have reported missing relatives.

Viña del Mar’s Mayor Macarena Ripamonti said at least 370 people have been reported missing in the city of about 300,000 residents.

Schools and other public buildings in Viña del Mar and in Santiago are serving as depots, where people are taking donations of water, food, candles and shovels for the victims of the fires.

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