Chile: Valparaiso suffers huge forest fire

Valparaiso

At least 12 people have died and 10,000 people have been evacuated after a forest fire engulfed large swathes of Valparaiso over the weekend.

Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, Archbishop of Santiago, said: "This Easter we are faced with so much pain. A few weeks ago we saw the people in the north suffer the effects of the earthquake and yesterday we were all deeply touched by the deadly fire that hit many families and has killed many people in Valparaiso... These two events invite us to live Easter more intensely.

"It is a terrible tragedy, without doubt the worst fire in the history of Valparaiso" said the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet.

Caritas in Santiago has issued an appeal to supports thousands of people that have found refuge and support in the churches of the city.

In a telegram issued on behalf of Pope Francis by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Bishop Gonzalo Duarte Garcia de Cortàzar of Valaparaiso, the Pope express his spiritual closeness to the residents of Valaparaiso and offers prayers of support. Cardinal Parolin said the Pope shares in the sorrow of those who have lost their homes and belongings in the blaze.

In addition, the telegram reads, while the Pope supports the rescue teams with his prayer, he also urges authorities and the entire population not to lose heart before such adversity, because with the spirit of solidarity and fraternal charity those who need assistance may receive it.

The telegram also asked the bishop to relay to the families of those deceased the Pope’s condolences and to express his fatherly solicitude to the injured. Finally, the Pope imparted his blessing on the Chilean people.

Source: Fides/VIS