"Devastation and Resilience: Chile's Deadly Wildfires Claim Over 130 Lives"

The death toll from the recent wildfires near Viña del Mar, Chile, has risen to 123 with over 300 people missing, making it the fifth-deadliest worldwide since 1900. Unusually high temperatures and extreme drought conditions, exacerbated by climate change, have fueled the fires. The fires have caused extensive damage to buildings and the environment, including the destruction of a renowned botanical garden. The increase in "hot droughts" globally has led to a concerning rise in deadly wildfires, with the indirect death toll from wildfire smoke inhalation being far higher than direct deaths.