The death toll from raging wildfires in Chile has risen to at least 112 people, with hundreds more missing, authorities have said, writes Al Jazeera.

President Gabriel Boric warned that casualties would rise “significantly” as forest fires continued to blaze in the central region of Valparaiso: “It is Chile as a whole that suffers and mourns our dead. We are facing a tragedy of very great magnitude”.

Authorities said 200 people were reported missing in and around the city of Viña del Mar, a popular beach resort where some of the most intense fires have raged.

Several neighbourhoods on the eastern edge of the city, which is known for its annual international music festival, were destroyed by flames, leaving residents to sift through the remains of their burnt-out homes.

Boric declared a state of emergency as he pledged support for people trying to recover from the disaster: “We are together, all of us, fighting the emergency. The priority is to save lives”.