Israeli tourist held in Chilean forest fire
Smoke rises from several areas of Torres del Paine National Park in Torres del Paine, Chile, Dec. 30, 2011, in this handout photo released by Gobernacion de Magallanes. / AP Photo/Gobernacion de Magallanes
SANTIAGO, Chile - A 23-year-old Israeli tourist has been detained on suspicion of causing a forest fire that has burned more than 42 square miles in Chile's Torres de Paine national park, authorities announced Saturday.
Regional prosecutor Juan Melendez identified the person as Roter Singer, though Israel Radio later gave the first name is Rotem. Melendez said the man had acknowledged a part in negligently allowing the fire to start.
More than 560 firefighters have been trying to contain the fire, which forced the evacuation of 400 tourists, most of them foreigners. About 150,000 people each year visit the 925-square-mile park in far-southern Chile.
Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter said an easing of winds was helping firefighters on Saturday, but conditions were expected to worsen Sunday and Monday. The government declared a state of emergency for the region on Friday.
Popular on CBSNews.com
-
One year after Afghan massacre, villagers work with U.S. troops One year after U.S. Staff Sgt. Robert Bales was accused of slaughtering 16 Afghan civilians, the villagers in the town where the atrocity took place have joined the U.S. special forces stationed there to assist in the fight against the Taliban.
- Widespread protests in Brazil 23 Photos
- 50th Paris Air Show 13 Photos
- Italy top court cites "erotic game" hypothesis in Knox case 85 Comments
- One of FBI's Ten Most Wanted nabbed in Mexico
- Torrential rain devastates Northern India 15 Photos
- Afghan gov't halts talks with U.S. on security pact
- Egypt and Ethiopia try to roll back threats of war
- Somali militants wage deadly attack on U.N. office
If he was held long enough in the fire might he be
Wait for it
"Chili-n-Toast"