Sancheong County: The death toll from a wave of wildfires in the southeastern region rose to 15, officials said Wednesday, as firefighters struggled to contain the rapidly spreading blazes. The fires, which began in Sancheong County in South Gyeongsang Province last Friday, have spread to nearby Uiseong and are advancing toward neighboring Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok, driven by strong and dry winds.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the victims were found in multiple locations: two in Andong, three in Cheongsong, four in Yeongyang, and six in Yeongdeok. In Yeongyang, four victims were discovered burned to death on a road at around 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The engulfing flames have also led to the destruction of Gounsa Temple in Uiseong, an ancient temple constructed in 681 during the Silla Dynasty. Fortunately, national treasures stored in the temple had been relocated to other locations before the fire reached the site.
Efforts to combat the wildfires have been extensive. Thousands of firefighters, along with dozens of helicopters and vehicles, have been deployed to fight the blazes. Since last Friday, the military has also contributed significantly to the firefighting efforts by deploying approximately 5,000 service members and 146 helicopters to the affected areas.