At least 16 people have lost their lives, and another 19 were injured as wildfires swept through South Korea’s southern regions, exacerbated by dry weather and strong winds, government officials reported on Wednesday.
Authorities in Andong and other southeastern cities and towns issued evacuation orders on Tuesday as firefighters battled multiple blazes. The fires, fueled by dry winds, consumed over 43,000 acres of land and destroyed numerous structures, including a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple.
More than 5,500 residents were forced to evacuate from their homes in Andong, the neighboring counties of Uiseong and Sancheong, and the city of Ulsan, where the fires were the most severe, according to South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Earlier on Tuesday, South Korean officials stated that firefighters had largely contained the largest wildfires in those areas. However, ongoing dry and windy conditions led to setbacks, allowing the flames to reignite and spread further.
Nearly 9,000 firefighters were deployed, supported by more than 130 helicopters and hundreds of vehicles, to combat the fires. However, efforts were partially suspended overnight as wind conditions intensified.
Authorities in Andong and Uiseong county ordered residents in several villages, as well as those near Andong University, to evacuate to safe locations or temporary shelters such as schools and indoor gyms. The directive came as a fire that started in Uiseong continued to advance due to strong winds.
The wildfire in Uiseong destroyed Gounsa, a Buddhist temple dating back to the 7th century, according to the Korea Heritage Service.
While there were no immediate reports of injuries, some of the temple’s national treasures, including a stone Buddha statue, were safely evacuated before the flames reached the wooden structures.
The fire also spread to the nearby coastal town of Yeongdeok, prompting officials to close roads and order residents of at least four villages to evacuate.
The justice ministry did not immediately confirm reports that it had started relocating approximately 2,600 inmates from a prison in Cheongsong county, also near Uiseong.
As of Wednesday morning, the Korea Forest Service reported that firefighters were battling at least five active wildfires across the country.
On Tuesday, the agency raised its wildfire warning to the highest “serious” level nationwide. This designation requires local governments to allocate additional emergency response personnel, tighten entry restrictions for forests and parks, and recommend that military units suspend live-fire exercises.
Four firefighters and government workers lost their lives in Sancheong on Saturday after being trapped by fast-moving flames driven by strong winds.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, currently serving as the country’s acting leader following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment over a December martial law decree, has pledged a full-scale effort to contain the wildfires. He also urged the public to remain vigilant as dry spring conditions persist.
Government officials believe several of the recent wildfires, including those in Uiseong and Ulsan, may have been caused by human error. Possible causes include the use of fire while clearing overgrown grass in family tombs or sparks from welding work.