The death toll in widespread forest fires in south-central Chile has increased to 22, according to government officials. Interior Minister Carolina Toha confirmed during a news conference on Saturday that 22 people are dead, reported CNN.

"There are 1,429 people in shelters, 554 injured and 16 suffering severe burns who are in serious condition," she added. Around 14,000 hectares of land were torched as dozens of wildfires raged in Chile amid the summer heatwave in the country.