At least 16 dead as huge fire rips through nursing home with residents trapped
A devastating fire at a nursing home in Pitrufquén, Chile, has resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the blaze, which occurred late at night and left only 10 residents evacuated.
Why it matters
This tragedy highlights critical safety and emergency response vulnerabilities in long-term care facilities for the elderly.
6 Flames engulfed the building -Credit:X At least 16 people have died after a huge fire ripped through a nursing home in Chile .
The blaze broke out at around 10.30pm local time yesterday (2.30am BST today) at the retirement site near the city of Pitrufquén in the south of the country. Just 10 people were evacuated in time, with the cause of the fire yet to be determined.
The mayor of Pitrufquén, Jaqueline Romero, said: "Ten elderly people were rescued, taken to the hospital and are being evaluated."
It is understood 26 adults were inside the building at the time of the fire but not all of them were elderly, the prosecutor of Pitrufquén, Jorge Granada, said.
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