Firefighting Plane Crashed in Lebu: Pilot Rescued

In a dramatic incident, a plane dedicated to fighting forest fires crashed this Sunday in the commune of Lebu, Biobío Region, while participating in operations to control a fire in the La Fortuna sector. The aircraft, a Turbo Thrush model with a 2,500-liter discharge capacity, suffered the accident under circumstances still under investigation.

The acting regional presidential delegate of Biobío, Humberto Toro, reported that the crashed plane belongs to a company that provides services to Forestal Arauco. Despite the impact, the response from emergency teams was quick and effective. Firefighters already in the area fought the fire and mobilized without delay to rescue the pilot.

"The pilot was conscious and was rescued by the ground firefighters themselves who were working on fighting the fire," stated Toro, in information gathered by the media outlet 24 Horas. The pilot, whose identity has not been revealed, was urgently evacuated to a clinic in Concepción to receive medical attention. Although conscious at the time of rescue, the severity of his injuries has not yet been determined.

The accident has not stopped the wildfire control operations in the region, which continue without interruption. Authorities have highlighted the quick action of the firefighters and the coordination among the different emergency teams.

This incident highlights the risks faced by pilots and emergency personnel in the fight against forest fires, a task that has become increasingly critical in the context of climate change and the rising frequency and intensity of these natural disasters.

The investigation into the causes of the accident is ongoing, and it is expected that in the coming days the factors that led to the plane's crash can be clarified.