A state of emergency has been declared in Chile after the country was ravaged by massive wildfires, forcing immediate evacuations across the board.
At least 18 people were killed, and more than 50,000 were evacuated as rampant wildfires continued to burn in the country, as per official reports.
{img}14 blazes ripped across 8500 hectares for two days in the Nuble and Biobio regions, which are about 500km south of the country's capital, Santiago.
President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency as nearly 4000 firefighters were seen battling the flames that were whipped up by gusting winds and hot weather.
{img}However, the government's reply was slammed by citizens. Locals claim that people are dying and being forced out of their homes with nowhere to go.
The flames are fast-moving, and not enough is being done by the government to provide relief, one person shared. The country's armed forces will now be involved following the state of emergency declaration.