UPDATE - Death toll in forest fires in Chile rises to 19

UPDATES WITH LATEST NUMBER OF DEATH TOLL; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Sinan Dogan

BOGOTA (AA) – The death toll from forest fires in central and southern Chile rose to 19, according to local authorities.

Numerous fires broke out in the South American country's coastal cities of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar.

In a news conference, Chile's Interior Minister Carolina Toha said: "The death toll is constantly changing. So far, 19 people have lost their lives. There may be more casualties in other regions."

Toha expressed a suspicion that some fires were deliberately started and said that 43,000 hectares (106,255 acres) have turned to ash.

Declaring a state of emergency, Chilean President Gabriel Boric said on X: "We have directed all our crews to the central and southern regions of the country to intervene in the fires."

Flames have rapidly spread toward the cities of Concon, Quintero, and Maitencillo.

In February 2023, some 13 people in Chile lost their lives in forest fires.