27/01/2017 (Agence Europe) – European solidarity is being put to the test by the EU’s civil protection mechanism, which is being used to help the authorities of Chile to help them combat devastating forest fires that have killed at least ten people. Portugal and France have already offered human resources and equipment in response to the formal request for help on the day the civil protection mechanism was activated, Thursday 26 January, announced the European Commission on Friday 27 January. ‘I call on other member states to follow suit,’ said European Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Commissioner Christos Stylianides. The EU has sent messages of condolence to the Chilean authorities and the victims’ families, explained a Commission spokesperson. The forest fires are the worst ever seen in Chile. (AN)