A budding young footballer and his mum have died in a devastating forest fire that devoured their home as they sheltered in it.
Álvaro Aroca and Paola Bustamante were unable to escape the flames.
The 20-year-old athlete had undergone major surgery on his leg and his mobility was severely limited, which is likely to have slowed them down.
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Their bodies were found in the property’s bathroom along with their pets after they apparently tried to seek shelter there.
Wildfires in the Ñuble and Biobío regions of Chile have burned through 8,500 hectares and caused the deaths of at least 19 people, with more than 200,000 people evacuated, as reported by Need To Know.
On Sunday (18 Jan), the flames began to reach the port town of Penco and the victims found themselves trapped in their home.
Álvaro was well known in the area as a promising young player for the football club Lord Cochrane.
Patricia Salinas, team president, said: “We are all shocked by this very unfortunate event, and it is that not only did such a young man die, but also his mother.
“In these hours of so much pain, we spiritually accompany his loved ones.”
Álvaro’s father Nelson Aroca Basaur said: “My son was an angel, he was very loved.
“My wife was also a passionate person, very loving and supportive of others.
“In fact, she even quit her job to dedicate herself to social work, to the community.
“What happened to us really hurts.
“I know there are other deaths, but my wife and son were a very strong blow.
“It’s terrible to go out and come back and see everything lost.”
As well as embarking on a promising football career, Álvaro was also a fourth-year geology student at Andrés Bello National University in Concepción, Chile.
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