By Trend News Line 2024-05-26 01:48:52.
Chilean Judge Orders Detention of Suspects in Devastating Forest Fire
In a shocking turn of events, a Chilean judge has ordered the detention of a volunteer firefighter and a former forestry official for allegedly planning and causing a mammoth forest fire in the Valparaiso region. This devastating fire resulted in 137 deaths and left 16,000 people homeless back in February.
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Suspects identified
The two men, Francisco Mondaca and Franco Pinto, were arrested on Friday and are now facing 180 days of detention as the investigation unfolds. Mondaca, a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter, is accused of physically starting the fire, with flares and fireworks found in his vehicle. Pinto, a former employee of the National Forest Corporation, is believed to have planned the crime.
Motive Behind the Crime
According to chief prosecutor Osvaldo Ossandón, there was an economic motive behind the plot. Mondaca allegedly testified that the goal was to create more work in fighting fires. Prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of more people being involved in this heinous act.
Reaction from Authorities
The regional prosecutor for Valparaiso, Claudia Perivancich, stated that investigators have evidence that the two suspects agreed in advance to carry out the crime when weather conditions were suitable. Vicente Maggiolo, the commander of the Valparaiso Fire Department, expressed dismay over the situation but emphasized that this was an isolated incident that should not tarnish the department’s long history of saving lives.
Impact of the Megafire
The devastating megafire began on February 2 in the Lago Peñuelas nature reserve and spread to several communes, destroying over 10,000 homes. This tragedy is considered Chile’s worst since the 2010 earthquake that claimed over 500 lives.
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Agency Responses
Christian Little, the executive director of the forestry department, described the detention of a former official as “a pain” for the agency. Both the fire department and forestry agency have pledged to tighten hiring procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Final Thoughts
This tragic event has shaken the community and raised questions about the motives behind such destructive acts. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to bring justice to the victims and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions..
Chile accuses volunteer firefighter and ex-forestry official with causing massive fire that resulted in fatalities..
