Chile: A devastating fire at a nursing home in southern Chile has claimed the lives of 16 elderly residents, while 10 others were rescued and hospitalised, according to local authorities.
The blaze broke out at a single-storey care facility in Pitrufquén, located in the Araucanía region, approximately 640 kilometres south of Santiago. Twenty-six elderly residents were inside the facility when the fire erupted. The 10 survivors were taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Images shared on social media showed flames engulfing the building overnight as firefighters battled the blaze with water hoses. Emergency teams continued clearing debris and removing collapsed corrugated metal roofing on Saturday, while police secured the site.
The facility had reportedly faced regulatory issues in the past. Pitrufquén Mayor Jacqueline Romero said the municipality had requested an inspection in February after finding that the nursing home was not complying with regulations and was subject to sanitary enforcement proceedings.
Romero stated that, “In February, the municipality had sent a letter specifically calling for an inspection because the facility was not in compliance with regulations.” Regional health official José Bravo said the facility had been operating outside regulations and had faced administrative proceedings and fines since 2019.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Local prosecutor Jorge Granada said investigators were examining the scene and questioning individuals to establish how the blaze started and determine whether any other factors or people were involved.
Municipal authorities expressed condolences to the victims’ families, while health, public safety, police and firefighting teams continued supporting relatives and managing the aftermath. Chile’s President José Antonio Kast called for a full investigation into the deaths. He also said he had ordered urgent measures to assess conditions at nursing homes across the country and identify steps needed to prevent similar tragedies.
The incident comes less than a week after another fire broke out at Hotel Alto Nevados in Chile, where competitors participating in the FIS Masters Alpine Skiing World Cup were staying during a pre-season training camp.
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