Seoul [South Korea], March 26 : The death toll from the devastating wildfires in southeastern South Korea has risen to 18, with one person still missing, according to forest service officials cited by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.
Firefighters continue to battle the fast-spreading fires, which ignited last Friday in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province. The blazes have since advanced to Uiseong and are approaching Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok, fueled by strong, dry winds.
Among the casualties, two victims were found in Andong, three in Cheongsong, six in Yeongyang, and seven in Yeongdeok. One individual remains missing in Cheongsong. Additionally, 10 people have sustained injuries, including two in critical condition.
In Yeongyang, four of the five victims were discovered burnt to death on a road late Tuesday night, around 11:00 p.m., Yonhap News Agency reported.
Acting South Korean President Han Duck-soo has called for an all-out effort to curb the disaster, describing the fires as “the worst wildfires ever.” So far, the fires have ravaged 17,000 hectares of forest and destroyed 209 homes and factories.
The flames also consumed Goun Temple in Uiseong, an ancient structure dating back to 681 during the Silla Dynasty. However, authorities managed to relocate its national treasures to safety before the temple was engulfed.
In response to the crisis, thousands of firefighters, along with dozens of helicopters and vehicles, have been deployed. Since last Friday, around 5,000 military personnel and 146 helicopters have been engaged in firefighting efforts across the affected regions.
In an emergency measure, South Korea’s Justice Ministry evacuated approximately 500 inmates from a prison in North Gyeongsang Province to another facility to escape the advancing flames. Initially, authorities planned to relocate 3,500 prisoners from multiple prisons, but the number was reduced as some fires were contained.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as efforts intensify to prevent further devastation.