At least 14 Venezuelan migrants died in a fire that swept through an overcrowded, illicit neighborhood in Coronel, located in Chile’s south-central region. The disaster occurred Monday night, and officials confirmed the casualties include eight children, spanning three families who lived in two precarious buildings.
Initial assessments point to a stove malfunction as the ignition source. In one cramped home, a family used a stove to keep warm in conditions where access to basic services was limited. Fire investigators described a large blaze that rapidly consumed the entrance and trapped occupants inside the residence.
Authorities quoted the deputy prosecutor from the Bio Bío district noting that the fire may have started with a stove, a device often used to heat spaces in impoverished neighborhoods where safety measures are scarce. The scene was described as the result of wood-burning appliances and improvised craftsmanship common in informal settlements.
Three immigrant families
Local security officials reported that the victims belonged to three family groups living in overcrowded conditions within the two affected structures. Government and family representatives indicated that everyone attempted to escape but was unable to do so, resulting in fatalities at the scene.
The deputy mayor of the commune, Javier Valencia, confirmed that at least six children were among the victims. The tragedy unfolded after sunset in a dangerous area along a street known locally as Central Street, near the junction with another main thoroughfare. Firefighters arrived but could not fully control the flames until late in the evening due to weather conditions in the area.
The medical and forensic services stated that bodies would be recovered and identified using DNA analysis. The authorities emphasized ongoing work to confirm the identities of the deceased with the families and to proceed with the necessary procedures to establish familial matches.
Poverty and overcrowding
Chilean officials reacted with condolences and pledged support for the affected families. Interior Minister Carolina Toha expressed sorrow on social media and affirmed that the government would dispatch a delegation of undersecretaries to Coronel to coordinate relief efforts and needed assistance for the community.
Deputy Mayor Valencia voiced concern about the persistence of informal settlements and the vulnerability they create. He urged national authorities to address poverty and the lack of affordable, decent housing, arguing that social exclusion contributes to risky living conditions for immigrant families and long-term residents alike.
As the summer season approaches with higher heat and expanding daytime temperatures, officials warned that camps and makeshift housing could become more dangerous. They called for practical measures to reduce risk and improve shelter conditions in both urban and rural settings.
Daniela Dresdner, the presidential delegate for the Bio Bío region, noted that many foreign nationals live in the irregular camp and that efforts to regularize the site had begun in 2022. She explained that a formal assessment by the Housing and Urbanization Service had started around that time, marking the transition from an unofficial camp to a recognized settlement. The presence of numerous immigrant families was cited as a factor contributing to elevated insecurity within the camp, underscoring the need for durable housing solutions and protections for residents, including children.
Officials highlighted that the community contains a mix of local and foreign residents, with a notable number of children among the inhabitants. The emphasis remained on safeguarding vulnerable populations while the legal and social frameworks around the camp were evaluated and improved.