South Korea’s disaster chief said on Thursday that the ongoing wildfires are "the largest on record," having burned more forest than any previous blaze. The death toll has been revised to 26.
More than a dozen wildfires erupted over the weekend, scorching vast areas of southeastern South Korea and forcing around 27,000 residents to flee as flames cut off roads and downed communication lines, reports AFP.
Disaster and Safety Division Chief Lee Han-kyung confirmed 26 deaths, eight serious injuries, and 22 minor injuries. The fires have already consumed 35,810 hectares—over 10,000 hectares more than the country's previous record wildfire in 2000.
Authorities cited dry weather and shifting wind patterns as key challenges in controlling the inferno. Most of the victims were local residents, but at least three firefighters and a helicopter pilot lost their lives in the effort to contain the blaze.
South Korea experienced its hottest year on record in 2023, with the national average temperature reaching 14.5 degrees Celsius—two degrees higher than the previous 30-year average. The affected regions had seen only half their usual rainfall, creating conditions ripe for wildfires. The country has already recorded more than twice as many fires this year compared to the same period last year.
Experts say climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, with prolonged droughts and stronger winds accelerating wildfire spread. Climatologist Yeh Sang-Wook from Hanyang University noted that while climate change is not the sole cause, it is a significant factor influencing these trends.
South Korea's aging population has also amplified the crisis, with many victims being elderly residents, including patients in nursing hospitals. Acting President Han Duck-soo ordered the interior minister to relocate to the disaster zone to oversee relief efforts.
Authorities are racing against time to protect cultural heritage sites, including two UNESCO-listed locations. At Byungsan Suwon, a former Confucian academy, emergency teams have been spraying three tonnes of water daily to prevent flames from reaching the site.
Rain is forecast for late Thursday, offering a crucial opportunity to contain the fires before they cause further devastation.
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
