Chile battles devastating wildfires: ‘We have never seen anything on this scale’

The world’s biggest aerial firefighting aircraft has joined beleaguered firefighters in Chile as they battle the worst wildfires in the country’s recent history, which have devastated swaths of land.

More than 90 blazes have scorched 180,000 hectares, razed hundreds of homes, turned village schools to ashes and destroyed cattle herds and vineyards.

A prolonged campaign to extinguish the flames has claimed four firefighters’ lives, but the forestry service reported said 35 fires remain out of control.

The worst forest fire in Chile’s history – in pictures

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The government has dispatched more than 40 helicopters and light aircraft to douse the ground, but its efforts have been…

Hyogo universities aim to develop disaster experts with new programs

KOBE – Universities in Hyogo Prefecture, which was hit by a devastating earthquake 22 years ago, are launching new programs to develop experts capable of leading efforts to respond to natural disasters.

Drawing on experiences from the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, the universities are aiming to teach students advanced skills and expertise in disaster response with a view to establishing new experts nationwide.

Last September, Kansai University of International Studies, located in Miki, Hyogo Prefecture, started a course on disaster prevention and reduction, with 53 students in the initial year.

Through 15 classes, students study a wide range…