Ambulance 131, fire 132, police 133 - the ABC 123 that every Chilean knows. All free from any phone, all answered around the clock.
- Chileans remember the numbers as ABC 123: Ambulancia 131, Bomberos 132, Carabineros 133. All are free from any phone and answered around the clock.
- English is not guaranteed on those lines, so have your address written down before you call.
- 130 reaches CONAF for a forest fire, which is worth having in summer when a plume of smoke matters to everyone downwind.
- Theft means a Carabineros station and the constancia, the written report your insurer will want. A lost passport means the PDI first, then your embassy in Santiago.
- After an earthquake the mobile network jams. Text and messaging apps get through when calls do not, so agree a meeting point in advance.
The numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Ambulance (SAMU) | 131 |
| Fire (Bomberos) | 132 |
| Police (Carabineros) | 133 |
| Investigative police (PDI) | 134 |
| Forest fires (CONAF) | 130 |
| Maritime search and rescue | 137 |
- Chileans remember them as ABC 123: Ambulancia 131, Bomberos 132, Carabineros 133.
- All are free from any phone and answered 24 hours; English is not guaranteed, so have your address written down.
- Bomberos in Chile are volunteers and turn out for far more than fires.
- 130 for a forest fire is worth having in summer, when a plume of smoke matters to everyone downwind.
If something goes wrong
- Theft: report it at a Carabineros station and get the constancia, the written report your insurer will want.
- A lost passport means the PDI and then your embassy in Santiago. The PDI also replaces a lost tourist card.
- After an earthquake, expect the mobile network to jam. Text and messaging apps get through when calls do not; agree a meeting point in advance.
- On the coast after a strong quake, move inland and uphill first and check the news later.
Worth saving now
- Your insurer's 24-hour number and policy number.
- Your embassy in Santiago, most of which are in Las Condes and Providencia.
- A photo of your passport and tourist card, stored offline.
- Chile's country code is +56, and mobile numbers are 9 followed by 8 digits.
- SENAPRED's alerts if you are travelling in volcano or wildfire country.
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