North Gyeongsang: Wind-fueled wildfires that ravaged the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang have killed at least 26 and injured another 30, as the nation is battling the worst-ever forest fires. Some 36,000 hectares of woodland have been burned, officials said. This is nearly 13,000 hectares more than the 23,794 hectares damaged by the east coast wildfires in 2000, which were the worst in national history.
According to Yonhap News Agency, about 37,000 people have been displaced, including 29,911 in the Uiseong and Andong areas in North Gyeongsang Province. Earlier in the day, acting President Han Duck-soo instructed acting Interior Minister Ko Ki-dong to reside in North Gyeongsang Province and oversee relief efforts for wildfire victims until the blazes are brought under control. Han expressed concern that many of the victims are senior citizens, including patients at nursing hospitals, and emphasized the importance of ensuring the health and safety of the victims while supporting the wildfire-extinguishing personnel and volunteer workers.
In North Gyeongsang Province, authorities resumed efforts to limit the spread of wildfires. Forestry officials began deploying helicopters, fire trucks, and firefighting personnel at 6:30 a.m. to battle the blaze that began in Uiseong County, about 180 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Saturday. The rapid spread of the fire has been fueled by strong winds. Weather officials noted that some 5 mm of rain was expected to fall in the region.
The wildfires in the province are presumed to have killed 21 people, including four in Andong, home to Hahoe Folk Village-a UNESCO World Heritage Site-and eight in Yeongdeok County. The wildfires near Hahoe Folk Village and Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Andong, showed signs of easing overnight. A forestry official mentioned that helicopters were on standby for deployment to the area but noted that morning weather conditions could complicate efforts.