In brief
A fierce blaze broke out on Friday night at the El Edén nursing home in southern Chile, killing 16 elderly residents and evacuating 10 others. Firefighters battled the fire into dawn and cleared collapsed roof debris. The cause remains unclear, but President José Antonio Kast has ordered a national audit of nursing home safety and pledged full cooperation with authorities. Families are receiving support, yet the tragedy highlights gaps in oversight and elderly protection.
A fierce blaze broke out on Friday evening at the El Edén nursing home in Pitrufquen, southern Chile. Sixteen elderly residents are reported dead, with ten others safely evacuated.
Firefighters worked until dawn to extinguish the fire and clear the collapsed roof, while police kept the area secure.
The cause of the fire is still unknown. President José Antonio Kast ordered a nationwide review of nursing home safety and pledged full cooperation with the justice system.
Families are receiving support, but the tragedy has raised serious concerns about elderly protection and oversight in the country.
