Chile declares state of catastrophe in the north after storm kills at least ten
Chilean President José Antonio Kast declared a 30-day constitutional state of catastrophe in the Coquimbo region and Huasco province in Atacama after an intense storm battered the country's north. Government figures show the storm has killed at least ten people nationwide, left four missing, and cut off nearly 100,000 residents behind closed roads.
Chilean President José Antonio Kast declared a 30-day constitutional state of catastrophe on Monday in the Coquimbo region and Huasco province in Atacama, after an intense storm battered the country's north. According to the government's latest tally, the storm has killed at least ten people nationwide, with four still missing.
Nearly 100,000 residents have been cut off from surrounding areas by road closures. Authorities said numerous areas remain unreachable and warned that the death toll could rise as access improves. The catastrophe declaration allows security forces to deploy additional resources and equipment to the affected regions.
Rescue teams are working to reopen severed roads and reach stranded residents. The government said regional relief packages would be announced once damage assessments are complete.
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