The death toll from one of the deadliest wildfires in decades in South Korea has risen to 24, with many others injured. Authorities have warned that the number of casualties may increase as the fires remain uncontrolled.
A South Korean official from the Ministry of Interior and Safety told AFP that 24 people have been confirmed dead, and at least 12 others have been seriously injured. The fires have caused unprecedented damage across the country, endangering two UNESCO heritage sites. Over the past few days, wildfires have spread to more than a dozen locations, forcing authorities to evacuate over 27,000 residents from the southeastern region. With roads blocked by the fires, many people fled in panic.
Officials confirmed that most of the victims were local residents. Among the deceased, at least three were firefighters, and one pilot died when his aircraft crashed while attempting to control the fire in a mountainous area.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the wildfires have already burned 17,398 hectares of land, with 87% of the damage concentrated in Uiseong County. Officials have classified this wildfire as the second most devastating in South Korea’s history. The worst wildfire occurred in April 2000, burning 23,913 hectares along the country’s eastern coast.
In response, the South Korean government has issued the highest-level wildfire alert nationwide. Authorities have taken the rare step of relocating prisoners from affected areas. Acting President Han Duck-soo stated, “The fire has been raging for five consecutive days, causing unprecedented damage.”
During a national emergency meeting, Han acknowledged that the wildfire had defied all existing forecasts and models. The disaster has also disrupted power and communication networks across the affected regions.