Fire at nursing home in Chile kills 16 elderly residents

What the report says

A fire at a nursing home in Pitrufquen, in Chile’s Araucania region, has killed 16 elderly residents and sent other occupants to hospital, according to Al Jazeera’s report published on September 12, 2026. The blaze started late Friday in the single-storey private care facility, about 640km south of Santiago, and firefighters brought it under control early Saturday.

Authorities said 26 older adults were inside when the fire began. Ten survived and were taken to a local hospital. Images shared on social media showed the building engulfed in flames overnight, while crews later worked through debris and collapsed roofing at the scene. Police secured the area as investigators tried to determine how the fire started and whether anyone else was involved.

The report says the home had a history of regulatory problems, with fines and enforcement proceedings dating back to 2019. Local officials said the municipality had asked for an inspection in February because the facility was not meeting regulations. Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast called for a full investigation and ordered urgent reviews of nursing home conditions nationwide.

The incident highlights longstanding concerns about oversight of elderly care facilities in Chile and the potential risks when safety and sanitation rules are not being followed.