Chile storms kill three, displace hundreds as heaviest rains expected

Friday, 17 July 2026 - 18:41

Chile+storms+kill+three%2C+displace+hundreds+as+heaviest+rains+expected
The three ⁠dead include a worker clearing a road in ​the southern town of Negrete, a person who ​fell while cleaning a roof in Temuco, and another person who suffered an electric shock in the capital, the government ​said.

Friday is expected to bring the heaviest rainfall ​yet to the central zone, according to authorities.

The director of ‌Senapred, the ⁠government agency responsible for managing emergency responses,

Alicia Cebrian, added that seven people so far have been injured, 79 affected, 466 sheltered and 158 isolated, mainly in ​the Coquimbo ​region due ⁠to rising water levels.

Around 257,000 customers lost power, mainly in the south.

Chile's northern mining ​zone, home to most of the country's ​copper ⁠and lithium extraction, was not affected by the storm.

Copper mines in the centre-south of Chile were operating normally under ⁠standard ​winter contingency plans, which include temporary work ​stoppages when weather conditions deteriorate.

Schools suspended classes on Friday.

-Reuters


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