A devastating wildfire has swept through Chile's national botanical garden in Viña del Mar, threatening to erase centuries of natural heritage 😢🌳.
The deadly blaze, which has claimed at least 123 lives across the country, has consumed 98% of the 1,000-acre garden, according to reports from The New York Times 🗞️.
The garden, a sanctuary for over 1,000 tree species—including rare cactuses, exotic plants from Europe and Asia, and the last known Sophora toromiro trees—now lies in ashes 🌺🔥.
On a harrowing afternoon, staff members rushed to evacuate several hundred visitors as flames engulfed the area. Tragically, a dedicated greenhouse keeper, her mother, and two grandsons were unable to escape and lost their lives 💔.
As one of the world's largest centers for botanical conservation and research, the loss of this garden is felt deeply, not just in Chile but around the globe 🌍. Many endemic species that called this place home are now facing extinction.
This heartbreaking event is a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change and the urgent need for environmental action 🌎🔥. Our thoughts are with the victims and all affected by this tragedy.
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Deadly wildfire engulfs one of the world's largest botanic gardens in Chile
cgtn.com
