Southeast South Korea Faces Renewed Wildfires; Fatalities Rise to 30

Synopsis

Wildfires have reignited in southeastern South Korea, resulting in a rising death toll that has reached 30. Emergency services have mobilized helicopters and firefighters to combat the flames. The government is providing support for those displaced, as extensive damage to homes and farmland has been reported.

Key Takeaways

Wildfires reignited in South Korea’s southeastern region.
The death toll has risen to 30, with many injuries reported.
Emergency services deployed helicopters to combat the fires.
Significant damage to homes and agricultural facilities was recorded.
Government pledges full support for displaced individuals.

Andong, March 29 (NationPress) Wildfires have reignited in the southeastern region of South Korea overnight, as reported by fire officials on Saturday, who indicated that firefighting helicopters were deployed to combat the flames.

An official from the Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters stated that reports of smoke in Andong, located about 190 kilometers southeast of Seoul in North Gyeongsang Province, began to emerge around 10 p.m. on Friday. Forestry experts believe the fire rekindled around 3 a.m. on Saturday.

The Korea Expressway Corporation closed a nearby highway section at 5 a.m. and reopened it shortly before 9 a.m. Due to restricted access to the mountainous regions, 11 helicopters were summoned to help extinguish the fire.

Authorities noted that fires had also reignited in other areas of the province, including Euiseong, located just south of Andong.

Local officials mobilized nine firefighting helicopters, along with 230 firefighters, public servants, and 50 soldiers, to tackle the blazes.

Additionally, a fire that ignited near a transmission tower around 9 p.m. Friday in Cheongsong, to the east of Andong, spread to a nearby mountain. Officials in Cheongsong warned residents to prepare for potential power outages.

Another nine helicopters were deployed over Cheongsong and Yeongyang to extinguish any lingering embers. Officials from North Gyeongsang reported that smoke was visible in some areas but claimed that no new fires had started. The province is set to deploy 30 helicopters on Saturday.

The Korea Forest Service had previously announced that wildfires in North Gyeongsang were fully under control as of 5 p.m. on Friday, after resulting in numerous casualties and displacing thousands.

Approximately 48,000 hectares of forest land, equivalent to nearly 80% of Seoul's size, have been devastated in this catastrophic wildfire event, according to the forestry agency.

Out of this total, nearly 13,000 hectares were affected in Euiseong, and nearly 10,000 hectares in Andong, as per reports from Yonhap.

The fires have also caused damage to 2,996 homes and over 1,000 agricultural facilities, according to preliminary estimates.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reported that the death toll from the wildfires reached 30 on Saturday, an increase of two from the previous day, with 43 people injured. Additionally, 6,885 individuals from 4,193 households remain displaced.

Moreover, approximately 55.4 billion won ($37.7 million) has been raised in donations through various relief organizations.

South Korean Acting President Han Duck-soo stated that the government will provide comprehensive support for those displaced until they can return to normal life.

During a meeting in Seoul to discuss wildfire response, Han urged firefighting authorities to monitor embers closely.

"It is crucial to prevent the recurrence of such a tragedy," Han emphasized.

"We must conduct a thorough review of the government's response system and assess our preparedness for major wildfires in light of rapid climate change."

The interior ministry is set to allocate 230 million won to support relief operations in North Gyeongsang.