From BBC News · · 1m 20s
Fire kills 16 at a Chilean nursing home
A night blaze at the El Edén home in southern Chile killed 16 elderly residents and forced a national safety review.
In brief
A night blaze at the El Edén home in southern Chile killed 16 elderly residents and forced a national safety review. Sixteen elderly residents died in an overnight fire at El Edén in southern Chile, and the president has ordered a nationwide review of care home oversight. Originally reported by BBC News.
Sixteen residents died
At least 16 elderly residents were killed by a fire at the El Edén nursing home in southern Chile, roughly 640km south of Santiago. Ten others got out.
It started at night
The blaze broke out around 22:30 local time on Friday evening. Crews did not fully extinguish it until Saturday morning.
Cause still unknown
Prosecutor Jorge Granada, who is leading the case, said it is not yet clear what caused the fire.
President orders a review
José Antonio Kast said he has ordered a review of conditions at nursing homes across Chile, focused on where oversight or prevention failed.
“We need to know the truth and, based on that, correct whatever is necessary”
A collapsed building
On Saturday, firefighters were still clearing debris and pulling away collapsed corrugated metal roofing. Police cordoned off the site for safety.
A town in mourning
Local mayor Jacqueline Romero said support is being provided to the victims' families.
“It is a situation that fills our souls with great sorrow and pain”
The main idea
Sixteen elderly residents died in an overnight fire at El Edén in southern Chile, and the president has ordered a nationwide review of care home oversight.
