BUENOS AIRES: Two people have died in severe forest fires in central Chile and about 50,000 residents of the Biobío and Ñuble regions have been urged to seek safety, Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde said on Sunday, reported German Press Agency (dpa) reported.
Hundreds of firefighters and soldiers are battling a total of 24 fires, he added.
The government declared a state of emergency for the affected regions. So far, the fires have destroyed over 250 houses.
Almost 100 square kilometres were affected by the fires, the forestry administration said.
During the southern hemisphere summer, Chile is repeatedly hit by severe forest fires. Last year, over 100 people lost their lives and around 15,000 houses were destroyed or damaged. – BERNAMA-dpa
