The Santiago Fire Department (CBS) resumed search and rescue operations this Tuesday at a residence on Catedral Street, following reports that two people may still be inside. The building, which was hit by a fire on April 16, remains at high risk of collapse.
CBS Commander Giorgio Tromben stated that the deployment was requested by the Prosecutor's Office and the Municipality of Santiago. According to the official, there is a presumption that two victims remain under the rubble, although no formal missing persons reports have been filed as of this time.
The emergency has become extremely complex due to the building's instability. “There have been several collapses, which made it impossible for us to carry out our full task inside. This structure has continued to collapse over the past few days,” Tromben explained.
Urban rescue operation
To address the situation, the USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) Task Force, which specializes in collapsed structures, has been activated. A team of 25 rescuers is currently working to secure the scene, reinforce walls, and reduce the weight of the ceilings that collapsed from the third floor.
Macarena Cañas, a prosecutor from the Centro Norte Prosecutor's Office, noted that technical planning was conducted alongside structural engineers to ensure personnel safety. The prosecutor added that the Carabineros' Labocar unit will also intervene to determine the cause of the fire and establish whether it was arson.
The investigation is relying on testimonies from neighbors who alerted authorities to the presence of residents in the area. According to reports, one of the individuals is a man named Mario, who is reportedly semi-bedridden. Local organizations from the Yungay neighborhood have taken to social media to claim that the man and his pet may have perished in the blaze.
