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Chile Detains Israeli Tourist Over Forest Fire


Firefighters fight a massive forest fire in Torres de Paine National Park, Chile, Dec. 30, 2011
Firefighters fight a massive forest fire in Torres de Paine National Park, Chile, Dec. 30, 2011

Chilean authorities have detained an Israeli tourist on suspicion of starting a massive forest fire in Chile's Torres de Paine national park.

The officials did not release the name of the suspect when announcing his arrest Saturday.

High winds fanned the blaze that has already destroyed more than 11,000 hectares of the park in southern Chile.

More than 500 firefighters have been trying to contain the fire, which forced the evacuation of 400 tourists, most of them foreigners. More than 100,000 people each year visit the 240,000-hectare park.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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