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Updated: Chile travel alert issued as deadly wildfires sweep tourist region

A Foreign Office travel alert was issued for Chile after forest fires reportedly killed at least 112 people in the Valparaíso region. 

Many of those affected were visiting the coastal region during the summer holidays as a state of emergency was declared.

The Chilean government has urged people not to travel to the areas hit by the fires.

Some 1,400 firefighters were being deployed on Sunday and a health alert was put in place in the port city of Valparaíso, situated 72 miles from the capital Santiago.

The coastal town attracts many tourists during the summer and is a regular stop for cruise ships sailing around South America.

The Foreign Office warned of active forest fires affecting multiple areas of Chile, including parts of Valparaíso, metropolitan Santiago, O’Higgins, Maule, Biobío, La Araucanía, Los Lagos and Aysén,

“The Chilean authorities have declared a state of emergency owing to these forest fires. Local authorities have closed roads and issued evacuation orders in various locations,” the updated travel advice added.

“To facilitate the work of emergency services and evacuations, the authorities have imposed curfews in several municipalities. 

“Further evacuations or curfews may be declared in the coming hours and days if the fires continue to spread.

“Shelters have been established in some locations.”

Travellers in or near the affected areas were advised to “review your person security plans” and “make evacuation plans that do not rely on British government assistance”.

Britons in the country should also follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders and monitor local media to stay informed of the “rapidly evolving” situation.

They were also advices to notify friends and family of their safety, have travel documents up to date and easily accessible and carry identification at all times, such as a passport or a copy of it.

Latin America Travel Association chair Martin Johnson said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic forest fires in the Valparaiso region of Chile. Our thoughts are with all the victims and their loved ones, as well as our Lata members on the ground and the wider Chilean community.

“The forest fires have taken place in the central region of Valparaiso which is a popular port city as well as in the vicinity of the nearby beach resort, Viña del Mar on the Pacific coastline.

“We understand that the authorities and firefighters are working rigorously to contain the fires and a number of curfews have been put in place in the area over the last few days. The government of Chile has declared two days of national mourning taking place on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 February.”

He added: “It is worth remembering that that these forest fires are restricted to the Valparaiso region and we understand that 15 of the 16 Chilean regions have not been affected.

“We continue to liaise with the Chilean authorities and our Chilean members on the ground, but we would currently advise anyone travelling to Chile to avoid the areas impacted and to follow the guidance of their tour operator and the local authorities.”

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