Chile widens state of emergency as raging wildfires leave at least 13 dead

President Gabriel Boric cuts short vacation as heatwave fuels nearly 40 blazes across southern and central regions

Chile's government has declared a widened state of emergency amid wildfires that have killed at least 13 people and consumed about 14,000 hectares (35,000 acres), as the South American country endures a summer heatwave across southern and central swaths of the country.

The interior minister, Carolina Toha, said on Friday morning the government had declared a catastrophe in the region of Biobio, joining its neighbouring region Nuble, which President Gabriel Boric announced on Thursday evening, allowing the deployment of soldiers and additional resources.