Tragic events have unfolded in South Korea as wildfires have claimed at least 24 lives, marking one of the most catastrophic wildfire outbreaks in the nation’s history. The acting president characterized the damage as “unprecedented,” reflecting the widespread impact these fires have had on communities.
Over the weekend, a series of wildfires erupted, particularly devastating the southeast region of the country. This calamity has forced approximately 27,000 residents to evacuate urgently, with flames cutting off access routes and disrupting communication lines, leaving many in a state of panic as they fled.
As the situation intensified overnight, the death toll rose sharply as fierce, wind-driven flames swept through neighborhoods, tragically destroying an ancient temple in their path. According to the Ministry of the Interior, these wildfires have ravaged a staggering 17,398 hectares of land, with the catastrophic blaze in Uiseong County responsible for 87% of that total.
“Wildfires burning for a fifth consecutive day…are causing unprecedented damage,” stated South Korea’s acting president, Han Duck-soo, during an emergency safety and disaster meeting. He expressed concern that the blazes are “developing in a way that is exceeding both existing prediction models and earlier expectations.”
“Throughout the night, chaos continued as power and communication lines were cut in several areas and roads were blocked,” he shared, emphasizing the challenges faced by both residents and emergency responders.
In the city of Andong, evacuees highlighted their harrowing experiences. One resident, 79-year-old Kwon So-han, described the frantic moments leading to his escape, recalling that he could only leave with “his body.” “The wind was so strong,” he reflected, recalling how swiftly the fire approached his home. “Those who haven’t experienced it won’t know.”
The stakes are high as one of the raging fires threatens the historic Hahoe Folk Village—a UNESCO World Heritage site—now under an emergency alert. Thousands of firefighters have been mobilized to combat the blazes; however, Han noted, “strong winds reaching speeds of 25 meters per second persisted from yesterday afternoon through the night, forcing the suspension of helicopter and drone operations.”
As the situation evolves, the changing wind patterns and dry weather have exposed the limitations of conventional firefighting methods. To bolster their efforts, hundreds of soldiers have joined the fight, with additional support from U.S. forces stationed in South Korea.
“This is truly the most devastating wildfire season we have faced,” Mr. Han remarked. Last year marked the hottest recorded year in South Korea, with the Korea Meteorological Administration reporting an average annual temperature of 14.5 degrees Celsius—two degrees above the prior 30-year average.
While certain extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall, have well-established links to climate change, forest fires, droughts, and other phenomena often arise from a complex interplay of factors. “The region had been experiencing unusually dry weather with below-average precipitation,” Han explained, revealing that South Korea has experienced more than double the number of fires this year compared to last year.
The significant fire in Uiseong reportedly ignited accidentally when an individual tending to a family grave unleashed the blaze. To address the crisis, the government has relocated over 27,000 individuals to temporary shelters, pledging to provide emergency relief and financial support to those affected.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
