The mudslide that swept down the ravines of San Carlos de Apoquindo, in Las Condes, on Thursday may have caused US$172.8 million in damage to buildings. That is the preliminary estimate from Inciti, a real estate data analysis platform. The figure is equivalent to 4.12 million UF and does not include damaged vehicles.
According to Emol, the analysis covers around 253 hectares and 3,981 properties. Of these, 2,699 are homes, or 68%. The area has 8,855 residents across 2,504 households.
The mudslide occurred at around 17:00, after heavy rain triggered flows in the ravines. Mud swept rocks, trees and vehicles along several streets. Firefighters assisted more than a thousand people, and six people were injured. Five hours later, President José Antonio Kast declared the municipality a disaster zone.
Homes account for around 80% of the damage, at US$138.4 million. They are followed by offices (US$12.4 million), retail properties (US$9.5 million) and facilities (US$9.4 million). To estimate the amounts, Inciti calculated the cost of replacing each building using data from the Internal Revenue Service (SII). It then applied a damage percentage based on each property's proximity to the worst-affected streets.
The firm cautions that its calculation is an "order of magnitude" estimate and not an official damage assessment. According to the analysis, the final amount could fall between US$90.3 million and US$255.3 million.
The three streets along which the mudslide flowed account for the largest losses. Camino El Alba totals US$64.5 million and General Blanche US$54.2 million. For Quebrada Honda, Emol reports US$43.9 million, while La Tercera and ADN Radio, citing the same study, report US$24.9 million.
The market value of properties in the area reaches 62.2 million UF, around US$2,605 million. Inciti clarifies that this figure represents the value exposed, including land, rather than the damage.
The consultancy Colliers produced a more limited estimate. It calculates direct damage of around US$50 million, mostly to private property. Its calculation uses data from the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred), which records 40 homes with major damage and 1,960 with minor damage, and accounts for around 8 kilometers of damaged streets.
Colliers also estimated the cost of preventing future mudslides. According to specialists consulted by the firm, a comprehensive debris control plan in the middle and upper watershed could cost up to US$32 million. The plan would include a series of settling basins, dynamic barriers and high-capacity drainage conduits.
Those affected include groups requiring priority assistance. According to the 2024 Census, the area is home to 1,977 people aged 60 or older, 430 children aged five or younger and 234 people with disabilities. Of the households, 79% own their homes and 18% rent.
The affected area includes 13 facilities. Among them are Clínica UC San Carlos de Apoquindo, Redland School and La Virgen de Pompeya schools, a DuocUC campus, Mall Paseo Los Dominicos and Pueblito Los Dominicos.
The Santiago Chamber of Commerce (CCS) visited 83 businesses in the area. According to its preliminary assessment, more than half have been unable to operate normally. Its general manager, Carlos Soublette, said the association would work with the affected companies.
The emergency also forced the suspension of Friday classes at schools in ten municipalities in the Metropolitan Region. There was also criticism over the failure to send an evacuation alert through the Emergency Alert System (SAE). Senapred explained that the event was sudden.
The Chilean Insurers Association recommended photographing or recording the damage before cleaning up and keeping receipts for expenses. People who do not know what insurance policies they hold can check using their Clave Única at www.conocetuseguro.cl, the Financial Market Commission (CMF) website.
