Lata calls for calm as deadly Chile forest fires prompt FCDO travel alert
Ilaria Grasso MacolaLata chair Martin Johnson has called for agents and Lata members with clients in Chile to remain calm after the deadly fires in the country’s Valparaiso region prompted a warning from the Foreign Office at the weekend.
Chile’s president Gabriel Boric on Sunday (4 February) declared two days of national mourning after at least 112 were killed in the coastal region, with Valparaiso and the resort town of Vina del Mar among worst hit areas.
Boric, who called the fires “the biggest tragedy we have experienced as a country since the 2010 earthquake”, said he would deploy “all necessary resources” to control them and attend to the wounded.
"Our thoughts are with all the victims and their loved ones, as well as our Lata members on the ground and the wider Chilean community," said Johnson, who is chair of the Latin American Travel Association.
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Chile, urging Brits in the country to follow the advice of local authorities, monitor local media and make evacuation plans that “do not rely on British government assistance”.
“Avoid areas they advise are at risk and follow evacuation procedures if instructed to by authorities,” read the update from the FCDO, which was issued late on Saturday (3 February).
In a message to agents and Lata members, Johnson confirmed the association was liaising with authorities in Chile. “The forest fires have taken place in the central region of Valparaiso, which is a popular port city as well as in the vicinity of the nearby beach resort, Vina del Mar, on the Pacific coastline," Johnson continued.
"We understand the authorities and firefighters are working rigorously to contain the fires and a number of curfews have been put in place in the area over the last few days."
Johnson added: "It is worth remembering that these forest fires are restricted to the Valparaiso region and we understand that 15 of the 16 Chilean regions have not been affected.
“We continue to liaise with the Chilean authorities and our Chilean members on the ground, but we would currently advise anyone travelling to Chile to avoid the areas impacted and to follow the guidance of their tour operator and the local authorities."
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