South Korea Wildfires Claim 24 Lives: Urgent Evacuations Underway

South Korea is facing one of its worst wildfire outbreaks ever. At least 24 people have died due to these fires, which are causing huge destruction and endangering important historical sites. Over the weekend, more than a dozen fires started, quickly spreading in the southeast. Many people had to leave their homes urgently, and around 27,000 residents evacuated as flames cut off roads and damaged communication lines.

The number of deceased increased to 24, with 12 others seriously injured. Among those lost were local residents, firefighters, and a pilot of a firefighting helicopter who tragically died in a crash. The fires have burned over 17,398 hectares of land. The wildfire in Uiseong county is especially severe, responsible for about 87% of the total area burned. This fire is now the second-largest in South Korea’s history, after a similar blaze in April 2000 that affected over 23,000 hectares.

The government has declared a high-level emergency and even moved some prisoners to safety. Acting President Han Duck-soo warned that these wildfires are damaging more than expected and quickly spreading. He mentioned that power and communication services were disrupted, creating chaos as people tried to evacuate. In Andong, an elderly resident shared how he had to leave so fast that he could only escape with his life.

Firefighting efforts have included helicopters, but these were paused after one crashed, resulting in the pilot’s death. Changing winds and dry conditions have made it harder to fight the fires. By Wednesday, two famous UNESCO sites, Hahoe Folk Village and Byeongsan Seowon, were at risk, with fires creeping closer. Firefighters were working hard to protect these sites, spraying water and fire-retardants.

Last year was the hottest on record for South Korea, aggravating the weather conditions that led to these fires. Experts believe climate change is making wildfires more common by drying out the land. A major fire started when a person accidentally set off flames while tending to a family grave. Local apple farmer Cho Jae-oak said he and his wife worked hard to keep the fire away from their home but eventually had to evacuate as the flames got too close.