Raging forest fires in central Chile have killed 11 people, displaced thousands and destroyed entire villages, the government said Thursday. / AFP PHOTO /
SANTIAGO, Chile (AFP) — Authorities have detained 43 people suspected of stoking some of the deadly Chilean forest fires that have killed 11 people and destroyed large swaths of land, President Michelle Bachelet said Sunday.
For nearly two weeks, fires have raged across seven regions in the south and central Chile, devastating more than 400,000 hectares (988,000 acres), Bachelet said in her latest update on the tragedy.
She added that 43 people had been detained “for their possible responsibility for the forest fires.”
Most of the suspects were apprehended in the hardest-hit regions of O’Higgins, Maule, and Biobio. They could face a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Of the 130 active forest fires, 50 are under control while 66 others are still being battled, officials said.
The Chilean government is distributing aid to those affected by the blaze, most of whom are farmers and ranchers whose homes, animals and land have been destroyed.
More than 11,000 people are working to extinguish the fires, including members of the military, police, public officials, and residents.
Of these, more than a half have come from abroad to help with what Chile has called the largest emergency operation in its history.
Fires are common in Chile’s parched forests during the southern hemisphere’s summer. Most are caused by human activity. More than 35 people have been arrested and accused of playing a role in starting or propagation the fires.
Fire activity this year was worse than usual because of a drought attributed by environmentalists to climate change.
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