At least 16 people have died after a late-night fire tore through a senior living facility, leaving only 10 residents rescued from the burning building.
The blaze broke out around 10:30 p.m. on September 11 at the El Edén facility. Emergency crews rushed to the scene as flames spread through the building, where about 26 adults were staying.
Firefighters and emergency responders managed to evacuate 10 people from the facility. The survivors were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, with some suffering injuries from the fire. A local school was also being used as a temporary shelter for people affected by the tragedy.
The victims have not yet been publicly identified as authorities continue notifying their families. Officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire, including how it started and whether the facility was operating under proper safety and licensing conditions.
Investigators from the Carabineros and organized crime division were involved in the response, while disaster prevention agency was also assisting authorities at the scene.
The tragedy has raised concerns about safety at the facility, particularly because it reportedly housed a large number of residents and had only one nursing assistant responsible for their care at the time of the fire. Authorities are expected to examine the building’s safety measures and emergency procedures as part of the investigation.
Families are now waiting for official confirmation about their loved ones as authorities work to identify the victims and determine exactly what caused the deadly blaze.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not yet released a final explanation for why the fire spread so quickly.