Chile Forest Fire Toll Climbs To 99 As Blaze Ravages Central Region

At least 99 people have been killed so far due to forest fire in central Chile region.

Forest fire has been ravaging through central region in Chile killing atleast 99 people

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The death toll due to forest fire ripping through central Chile climbed to 99 as the authorities imposed a state of emergency saying it would make "all necessary resources" available to tackle the situation, reported the BBC on Monday. This is being considered as one of the "deadliest" forest fire on record in the South American country, as per the report. 

A health alert was sounded in the Valparaíso region by the country's health ministry, which also suspended elective surgeries and authorised setting up of temporary field hospitals.

It also said that the medical students nearing the completion of their studies will also be hired to ease the pressure on the health services. 

As per the report, rescuers have been struggling to reach the badly affected areas and the Chilean government has urged people not to travel to the areas hit by the fire. 

Most of the people affected were visting the coastal region during the summer holidays. 

Chilean Interior Minister Carolina Tohá said that the death toll would "reach much higher figures" in the coming hours.

For 61-year-old Rodrigo Pulgar, the ordeal has been a "hell". 

Speaking to news agency AFP, the resident from El Olivar said he tried to help his neighbour but then realised that his own house had started to burn.

"Ash was raining down on us," Pulgar added.

He said that most of the residents in El Olivar are older people adding that his neighbour died because they could not get her out. 

As per the country's housing ministry, around 3,000 to 6,000 houses have been impacted by the fires. 

Some 1,400 firefighters were deployed on Sunday alongside military personnel and emergency services, the report said, adding that the cause of fire is being investigated.