South Korea: Death toll rises to 18 as wildfires spread in southeastern region of country

The death toll from a series of wildfires in the southeastern region of South Korea has climbed to 18, with one person still missing, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing forest service officials on Wednesday. Firefighters are still working to control the rapidly spreading fires, which started in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, last Friday and have since spread to Uiseong, advancing toward Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok, fueled by strong, dry winds.

Of the victims, two were found in Andong, three in Cheongsong, six in Yeongyang, and seven in Yeongdeok. One person remains missing in Cheongsong. Additionally, 10 people have been injured, with two suffering serious wounds. In Yeongyang, four of the five victims were discovered burnt to death on a road around 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Yonhap News Agency.

On Wednesday, South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo urged a full-scale effort to prevent the further spread of the deadly fires, calling them “the worst wildfires ever.” Fires have so far destroyed 17,000 hectares of forest and 209 houses and factories, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing Han’s statement.

The flames also consumed Goun Temple in Uiseong, an ancient site built in 681 during the Silla Dynasty. However, the national treasures housed there had been relocated for safety before the fire reached the temple.

Thousands of firefighters, along with dozens of helicopters and vehicles, have been deployed to fight the blazes. Since last Friday, around 5,000 military personnel and 146 helicopters have been sent to assist in combating the wildfires in the southeastern region, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The Justice Ministry of South Korea reported that approximately 500 inmates from a prison in North Gyeongsang Province were transferred overnight to another facility to avoid the flames. Initially, the ministry had planned to move about 3,500 inmates from several prisons in the area, but the number was reduced as some fires were extinguished.