October 3, 2024, 8:58 PM
October 3, 2024, 8:58 PM
No words are needed to describe what the photograph says. Feelings such as helplessness, anger, resignation and despair are part of what was experienced by the community members who witnessed, in the front row, how the fire consumed all their belongings. The event occurred in the Nueva Generación community, 50 kilometers south of the municipality of Riberalta, in the department of Beni. The mayor of this town, Ciriaco Rodríguez, affirms that there were no personal injuries.
Until last week, the community threatened by the accidents was Agua Dulce. The flames were still far away and did not represent any immediate risk; However, due to the proximity of this community to that of Nueva Generación and the strong winds that were recorded this Thursday in that area, the fire reached and devoured 20 homes.
The community members managed to flee and take out the little or most important things they had in their homes, The rest had to abandon it, because the flames reached the place in a matter of seconds.
According to the mayor himself, a contingent of about eight people was in the area in addition to the authority itself. “But nothing could be done, the winds were strong and fortunately only material losses were reported,” Rodríguez assured.
However, these belongings are what community members like Ricardo Gómez Melgar regret, who, tired and devastated by the imminent loss, ended up falling to the ground on his knees while the fire consumed his home.
“We ask for the collaboration of the population for the families who have been left with nothing”the mayor remarked, at the same time indicating that more manpower is also needed, ““more volunteers to help us with fire mitigation tasks”highlighted Rodríguez.
The one who was also shocked by the disaster was the journalist Marco Melgar. “It’s amazing how everything burned. Only about three houses were saved, which are in the front. The gale that seemed like it was going to rain accelerated the flames,” Melgar told EL DEBER.
Beni is the second department in the country most affected by forest fires. To date, about 7 hectares have been consumed in Bolivia, including forests, grasslands, among others.
