Wildfires rage in southeastern South Korea, leaving four dead and hundreds evacuated

At least four people have been confirmed dead and six others injured as wildfires, fueled by strong winds and dry weather, continue to ravage the southeastern region of South Korea.

The fires, which broke out in Sancheong County on March 21, have spread rapidly to other parts of the area, forcing the evacuation of approximately 1,500 residents, Caliber.Az reports, citing South Korean media.

The flames first ignited in Sancheong, located about 250 kilometres southeast of Seoul, before spreading to neighbouring regions. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reported that five of the six injured individuals are in serious condition. All victims were found in Sancheong, which has been the hardest-hit area.

In response to the rapidly spreading flames, Lee Han-kyung, deputy chief of the disaster control tower, called for an all-out mobilization of resources to tackle the wildfires. "Wildfires are rapidly spreading to broader regions due to dry weather, threatening people's lives," Lee said during a disaster response meeting on March 23. "We will spare no efforts in bringing these fires under control."

As of March 23 morning, fire authorities reported that about 30 helicopters have been deployed to assist in firefighting efforts. Despite their efforts, the fire in Sancheong was only 30 percent contained. The blazes have scorched a staggering 3,286.11 hectares of land—an area roughly equivalent to 4,600 football fields. Among the hardest-hit areas are Euiseong in North Gyeongsang Province and Sancheong, where more than 1,000 hectares have been destroyed.

With the situation continuing to evolve, authorities have evacuated about 1,500 residents to temporary shelters as a precautionary measure.

Firefighters remain on high alert, working tirelessly to contain the flames and prevent further casualties. The ongoing wildfires are a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the combination of dry weather and strong winds in the region.

By Khagan Isayev