The number of fatalities in the wildfires sweeping through the southeastern part of South Korea has climbed to 24, with the tragic death of a firefighting helicopter pilot in a crash on Wednesday. These deadly wildfires have rapidly spread, leading to over 27,000 residents evacuating their homes, as reported by the government. Fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, the fires have destroyed entire communities, shut down schools, and necessitated the relocation of hundreds of prisoners.
Acting President Han Duck-soo emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that all resources and personnel are being mobilized in response to the unprecedented wildfires. The U.S. military stationed in Korea is also providing assistance. The Korea Forest Service confirmed the death toll at 24, with earlier reports indicating 14 fatalities in Uiseong county and four linked to the blaze in Sancheong county.
The safety ministry warned of continued dry conditions in the wildfire-affected area on Wednesday. Additionally, one of the firefighting helicopters from the Forest Service crashed while battling a fire in Uiseong county, resulting in the tragic loss of the pilot.
The Forest Service mentioned that South Korea heavily relies on helicopters for firefighting efforts due to its mountainous terrain. The recent crash led to a temporary grounding of the helicopter fleet. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.
Amid criticism regarding the lack of firefighting equipment, the Korea Forest Service spokesperson, Kim Jong-gun, announced plans to acquire additional helicopters for wildfire response. Over 4,900 firefighting personnel, including police and military units, were deployed on Wednesday, with 87 helicopters actively engaged in firefighting operations.
Ancient temple destroyed
The fires that erupted in Uiseong over the weekend continue to ravage the area, destroying ancient temples and residential properties. These fires have also posed a threat to UNESCO World Heritage sites like Hahoe Village and the Byeongsan Confucian Academy in Andong city.
Tragically, the historic Goun Temple, constructed in 681, was consumed by the flames. The government has declared the affected areas as special disaster zones, with over 15,000 hectares of land damaged by the fires.
Lee Byung-doo, a forest disaster expert, described the Uiseong fire, only 68% contained and exacerbated by strong winds, as of an “unimaginable” scale and speed. He highlighted the global trend of increasing wildfires due to climate change, citing recent incidents in Los Angeles and Japan.
