Tragic Fire at Chile Nursing Home Claims 16 Lives

In the late evening of Friday, September 12, a devastating blaze broke out at El Edén nursing home in Pitrufquén, Chile, claiming the lives of 16 elderly residents.

The fire started around 22:30 local time and was not extinguished until Saturday morning, after which firefighters had to clear collapsed corrugated metal roof and debris. Police cordoned off the area to ensure safety for residents and the public.

Jorge Granada, the prosecutor leading the case, said the cause of the incident remains unclear. Officials are still investigating whether any safety protocols were breached.

President José Antonio Kast responded by ordering a review into the condition of nursing homes across Chile. He pledged collaboration with the justice system to identify failures in oversight or prevention, determine what alerts were raised and the actions taken in response.

Local mayor Jacqueline Romero offered support to the families affected, emphasizing the sorrow and pain of the community. The ongoing investigation aims to prevent future tragedies of this scale.