A devastating wildfire has nearly obliterated Chile's national botanical garden in Viña del Mar, marking one of the world's largest centers for botanical conservation and research. The fire, which has tragically claimed at least 123 lives across the country, has destroyed approximately 98 percent of the garden's extensive 1,000-acre grounds.
On Friday afternoon, flames rapidly engulfed the botanical garden, forcing staff to evacuate several hundred visitors in a race against time. Amid the chaos, a heartbreaking personal loss emerged as a female greenhouse keeper, along with her mother and two grandsons, perished in the blaze.
The loss extends beyond human lives; the garden was home to over 1,000 tree species, including many rare cactuses and exotic plants from Europe and Asia. Among the casualties are some of the world's last known Sophora toromiro trees, now extinct in the wild, underscoring the critical blow to global biodiversity.
As firefighters struggle to contain the flames, the international community watches with concern, recognizing the importance of preserving such vital centers for botanical research and conservation. The destruction of this garden not only represents a national tragedy for Chile but also a significant loss for global efforts to protect and study plant diversity.
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Deadly wildfire engulfs one of the world's largest botanic gardens in Chile
cgtn.com
