Chile declares 'state of catastrophe' as deadly wildfires menace cities

Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in two regions where deadly wildfires are raging.

At least 16 people are confirmed dead in the Ñuble and Biobío regions, about 500km (300 miles) south of the capital Santiago. At least 20,000 have been evacuated.

The most dangerous fire has swept through dry forests bordering the coastal city of Concepción. About 250 homes have been destroyed, disaster officials said.

Local media show pictures of charred cars in the streets. Chile has experienced a series of devastating fires in recent years, worsened by long-term drought.

Chile's forestry agency, Conaf, said firefighters were battling a total of 24 fires across the country on Sunday. The most threatening, it added, were in Ñuble and Biobío.

"In light of the serious ongoing wildfires, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe" in the two regions, Boric said in a post on X. "All resources are available," he added.

The fires have affected 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) in the two regions so far, local media say.

The bulk of the evacuations were carried out in the cities of Penco and Lirquen, just north of Concepción, which have a combined population of 60,000.

Strong winds have fanned the flames amid summer temperatures, endangering communities and hampering firefighting efforts.

Much of Chile is under heat alerts, with temperatures expected to reach 38C between Santiago and Biobío in the next two days.

Two years ago, forest fires killed at least 120 people in the Valparaíso region near Santiago.