In pictures, in pictures. In Chile, fires kill at least 19 people and destroy more than 40,000 hectares of land

a “Unprecedented Disaster”, According to Macarena Ripamonti, mayor of Viña del Mar. In Chile, at least 19 people were killed in fires that damaged some 43,000 hectares, particularly in the tourist region of Valparaiso, which suffered from scorching temperatures. “The Valparaiso region has never experienced a situation of this magnitude.”Macarena Ripamonti whispered, whose city is particularly affected.

In the hills of the famous seaside resort, the streets are lined with hundreds of burnt cars. Thousands of homes were destroyed on Saturday. Images that have gone viral show mountains engulfed in flames at the end of the famous “Route 68” used by thousands of tourists heading to the Pacific coast.

Firefighters have been battling since Friday against dozens of homes in the regions of Valparaiso and O’Higgins, but also in Maule, Biobio, La Araucania and Los Lagos to the south. As of midday Saturday, 92 fires were still active, with 40 under control. Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of emergency “All the necessary tools are there” Countering the progress of the flames. As of Wednesday, temperatures in central Chile are nearing 40 degrees.

This heatwave, a result of the El Nino climate phenomenon, exacerbates wildfires through global warming.