A fire broke out at El Edén nursing home in Pitrufquén, located approximately 640 kilometers south of Santiago, on Friday evening, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 elderly residents. Ten additional residents were evacuated from the facility following the incident.
The blaze began around 22:30 and was extinguished the following morning. Firefighting crews continued clearing debris and removing collapsed corrugated metal roofing on Saturday, while police maintained a cordoned perimeter around the property for safety purposes.
Jorge Granada, the prosecutor overseeing the investigation, indicated that the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Authorities have not identified what sparked the incident or what circumstances may have contributed to the loss of life.
Chile’s President José Antonio Kast announced he had initiated a comprehensive review of conditions at nursing homes throughout the country in response to the disaster. The president stated his administration would work closely with the justice system to investigate potential failures in oversight and prevention measures, examine any prior safety alerts, and assess what actions were taken in response to those warnings. Kast emphasized the need to establish facts surrounding the incident and implement necessary corrections to prevent similar tragedies.
Local Mayor Jacqueline Romero expressed the community’s distress over the event, stating that residents have been receiving support and assistance during the aftermath of the fire.
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