SANTIAGO, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced a state of catastrophe in the regions of Nuble and Biobio on Sunday after forest fires killed at least 16 people.

"Given the serious fires currently underway, I have decided to declare a state of catastrophe in the regions of Nuble and Biobio. All resources are available," Boric said in a post on social media X. ■