Lawmakers from Chile’s Renovación Nacional party have introduced legislation that would impose criminal penalties, including prison sentences and substantial fines, on individuals who knowingly and without justification ignore official evacuation orders or enter restricted risk zones during emergencies.
The proposed bill targets those who deliberately defy safety directives, aiming to deter behavior that endangers both the individuals involved and emergency response teams.
The rescue operation for these individuals, who had entered a restricted area despite warnings, cost an estimated 100 million Chilean pesos.
Under the new framework, violators could face minor prison terms or fines ranging from 11 to 50 Unified Tax Months (UTM), a significant financial penalty in the Chilean context.
The legislative push follows a high-profile incident in the Cajón del Maipo region, where the government is currently seeking financial recovery from three individuals rescued in San José de Maipo.
The rescue operation for these individuals, who had entered a restricted area despite warnings, cost an estimated 100 million Chilean pesos.
The Metropolitan Regional Presidential Delegation has highlighted the burden such operations place on public resources.