Fire Causes 'Irreparable' Damage To Easter Island Stone Statues
Bizarre/Strange
Monday 10th, October 2022
A wildfire swept over on Easter Island in Chile causing permanent damage to the iconic stone statues known as moai.
The fire which is being treated as arson is said to have "totally charred" a number of the iconic statues on the island.
Over 100 hectares (247 acres) around the Rano Rarku volcano was burned, an area which is a UNESCO world heritage site.
The fire was started intentionally according to the mayor of Easter Island, Pedro Edmunds, he said, "The damage caused by the fire can't be undone,"
The national park's director Ariki Tepano described the damage as "irreparable" and added, "The moai are totally charred and you can see the effect of the fire on them."
The area has been closed to vistors as an investigation is carried out.
The high temperature of the forest fire accelerated the process through which the stone carvings will eventually turn into sand, the mayor of the island locally known as Rapa Nui said.
The fire which is being treated as arson is said to have "totally charred" a number of the iconic statues on the island.
Over 100 hectares (247 acres) around the Rano Rarku volcano was burned, an area which is a UNESCO world heritage site.
The fire was started intentionally according to the mayor of Easter Island, Pedro Edmunds, he said, "The damage caused by the fire can't be undone,"
The national park's director Ariki Tepano described the damage as "irreparable" and added, "The moai are totally charred and you can see the effect of the fire on them."
The area has been closed to vistors as an investigation is carried out.
The high temperature of the forest fire accelerated the process through which the stone carvings will eventually turn into sand, the mayor of the island locally known as Rapa Nui said.
