At least 24 dead as ‘unprecedented’ wildfires ravage South Korea, thousands evacuated

South Korea is facing one of its worst wildfire disasters in recent history, with at least 24 people dead and more than 20 injured as massive fires continue to engulf the southeastern regions. Thousands of firefighters and soldiers are working to contain the blazes, which have already forced more than 27,000 residents to flee their homes. The Korea Forest Service reported that as of Wednesday morning, five active wildfires were still raging across the country, causing unprecedented destruction.

The fires began late Friday in Sancheong county, Northern Gyeongsang province, before spreading rapidly to Uiseong county, located approximately 180km southeast of Seoul. Strong winds accelerated the spread, pushing the flames into Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok counties. Firefighters have struggled to contain the disaster, with more than 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of forest already burned and hundreds of buildings destroyed. Among them was the historic Gounsa temple in Uiseong, a Buddhist monastery dating back to 681, which was reduced to ashes. Authorities managed to relocate its national treasures to safety before the structure was consumed by the flames.

The tragedy deepened on Tuesday night when four victims were found burned to death inside an overturned vehicle as they attempted to escape the advancing fire. In another incident, a pilot of a firefighting helicopter lost his life when his aircraft crashed while trying to combat the flames. Officials have described the speed and intensity of the fire in Uiseong as “unimaginable,” with South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo acknowledging that the disaster had surpassed all known prediction models. “Wildfires burning for a fifth consecutive day in Ulsan and the Gyeongsang region are causing unprecedented damage,” Han stated.

Authorities have issued emergency evacuation orders in multiple areas, including Andong’s UNESCO-listed Hahoe Folk Village, which is a popular tourist destination. The fire is now just 8km away from the village, and emergency crews have been spraying water around the site to prevent it from being consumed. Residents have been urged to evacuate immediately as the flames continue to draw closer. Meanwhile, prison officials have relocated approximately 500 inmates from a correctional facility that was at risk of being engulfed by the wildfires.

The South Korean military has joined the firefighting efforts, deploying around 5,000 personnel and 146 helicopters to battle the blazes. However, the high temperatures, dry conditions, and strong winds have made containment efforts increasingly difficult. The ongoing wildfires have raised concerns about climate change and its role in intensifying natural disasters, with experts warning that such catastrophic fires could become more frequent.

As the country reels from the destruction, the government has vowed to provide emergency relief and support for affected families. Despite the overwhelming damage, firefighting teams remain on high alert, working around the clock to prevent further loss of life and property. The extent of the destruction is still unfolding, and officials fear that the death toll could rise if the fires continue to spread unchecked.