At least four people have been confirmed dead, six injured, and around 1,500 evacuated as wildfires, fueled by strong winds, continue to devastate parts of South Korea’s southeastern region, disaster authorities reported on Sunday.
The fires, which began on Friday in Sancheong County, located about 250 kilometers southeast of Seoul, have since spread to surrounding areas, causing significant damage.
Of the six injured, five are reported to be in serious condition. All of the victims were found in Sancheong, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.
Lee Han-kyung, deputy chief of the disaster control tower, urged fire authorities to deploy all available resources to contain the fires swiftly. “Wildfires are rapidly spreading to broader regions due to dry weather, threatening people’s lives,” Lee said during a disaster response meeting. He pledged full efforts to extinguish the fires.
Firefighters have faced significant challenges in containing the blazes, with approximately 30 helicopters deployed to assist in firefighting efforts. As of early Sunday, the fire in Sancheong was reported to be about 30% contained.
So far, a total of 3,286.11 hectares of land—roughly equivalent to 4,600 football fields—have been scorched, with significant damage reported in Euiseong in North Gyeongsang Province and Sancheong. Over 1,000 hectares have been destroyed in these two areas alone.
In response to the growing threat, about 1,500 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters. Firefighters continue their efforts to contain the wildfires, with ongoing operations in four affected areas across the southeastern region.
Inputs from WAM
