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Two Coelcha Employees Face Justice for Catastrophic Fire

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• A supervisor and a contractor from the electric company Coelcha are accused of causing a fire that resulted in 17 deaths and the destruction of 70 thousand hectares in Nacimiento and Santa Juana. 

The summer of 2023 will be marked by tragedy in the communes of Nacimiento and Santa Juana, where a devastating fire claimed the lives of 17 people and ravaged 70 thousand hectares of land. The Public Prosecutor's Office has formally charged two individuals—a supervisor and a contractor from the electric company Coelcha—for their alleged responsibility in the disaster. The charges they face include arson, punishable under the Forest Law, as well as involuntary manslaughter and injuries, reflecting the severe toll of casualties and fatalities.

The events were allegedly triggered by the contractor's negligence in failing to properly maintain the safety strip beneath the power lines, along with the supervisor's lack of oversight. These accusations were presented before the Nacimiento Guarantee Court, which has set a six-month deadline for the criminal investigation led by the Prosecutor's Office.

The regional prosecutor of Biobío, Marcela Cartagena, detailed the extent of the damage caused by the fire, which affected forest plantations, native woodlands, scrublands, grasslands, as well as homes, buildings, material goods, pets, livestock, and, most tragically, human lives. The scale of the catastrophe is reflected in the 268 identified victims, in addition to the numerous cases of involuntary injuries and manslaughter.

 The mayor of Santa Juana, Ana Albornoz, expressed her grief over the loss of human lives and the destruction of public infrastructure, as well as the agricultural and cultural heritage of the commune. Hoping that accountability is established in accordance with the law, the mayor anticipates the start of civil actions to compensate, as much as possible, for the irreparable damage caused to the community.

This case highlights the importance of prevention and proper maintenance in fire-risk zones, as well as the need for effective oversight to prevent tragedies of this magnitude. As the communities of Nacimiento and Santa Juana begin their recovery process, justice moves forward in the search for answers and accountability.