South Korea wildfires kill 24

Wildfires sweeping through southeastern South Korea have killed at least 24 people and left over 20 injured. Thousands of firefighters and military personnel are struggling to contain the fast-spreading flames.

Over the weekend, more than a dozen fires broke out, forcing nearly 27,000 residents to evacuate, according to reports from Al Jazeera and Reuters. As of Wednesday, March 26, the country's forestry department confirmed that firefighters were battling at least five active wildfires nationwide.

Authorities warn that the death toll could rise, as the fires remain uncontrolled, making this one of the worst wildfire disasters in decades. A South Korean Ministry of Interior and Safety official told AFP that the confirmed death toll stands at 24, with 12 others seriously injured.

The fires have caused unprecedented destruction, endangering two UNESCO-listed heritage sites. In recent days, wildfires have spread across multiple locations, forcing mass evacuations. With roads blocked and visibility reduced, residents are fleeing in panic.

Government officials confirmed that most victims are local residents, but at least three firefighters were among the dead. Additionally, a pilot lost his life when his aircraft crashed while attempting to combat the blaze in a mountainous area.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the fires have already scorched 17,398 hectares of land, with Uiseong County suffering the worst damage—accounting for 87% of the total area burned. Officials describe this as the second-worst wildfire disaster in South Korea’s history, surpassed only by the 2000 inferno that destroyed 23,913 hectares along the eastern coast.

In response, the government has issued the highest-level wildfire alert nationwide and taken the extraordinary step of relocating prisoners from affected areas.

Acting President Han Duck-soo acknowledged the scale of the disaster, stating, “The fires have been raging for five days straight... causing unprecedented damage.” Speaking at a National Emergency Security and Disaster Meeting, he admitted that the wildfires have defied all predictions and previous forecasts.