18 Killed as Wildfires Ravage South Korea

Wildfires have wreaked havoc across southern South Korea, killing 18 people, destroying more than 200 structures, and forcing 27,000 to flee their homes, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The fires, exacerbated by strong winds, are now considered among the most severe the country has ever experienced.

A tragic accident occurred during firefighting efforts, with a helicopter crashing while attempting to contain the flames in Uiseong, one of the hardest-hit areas. The Korea Forest Service confirmed that rescue operations are underway, and only the pilot was on board at the time of the crash.

As wildfires continue to rage across the country, the government's emergency response centre reported that the blazes have consumed over 43,000 acres of land. The destruction includes the loss of homes, factories, vehicles, and an ancient Buddhist temple. At least 19 people have been injured in the chaos.

In a televised address, Acting President Han Duck-soo called the wildfires “unprecedented” in scale, surpassing previous disasters in terms of damage. “The situation is worsening by the hour,” Han said. “We are facing an unprecedented level of destruction, and it is critical that we concentrate all available resources to contain these fires this week.”

Officials have warned that strong winds overnight have hindered firefighting efforts. Currently, about 4,650 firefighters, soldiers, and emergency personnel are battling the flames, supported by 130 helicopters. The government has forecasted some light rain—between 5 and 10 millimeters—on Thursday, offering a glimmer of hope for relief.

The ongoing wildfires have already been classified as the third-largest in South Korea’s history in terms of acreage burned. On Tuesday, authorities in several southeastern cities and towns issued mandatory evacuations as dry winds continued to spread the fires. The most intense blazes were reported in Andong, Uiseong, Sancheong, and Ulsan.

Earlier, officials had announced that the largest fires in these areas had been mostly brought under control. However, the combination of gusty winds and dry conditions caused many fires to reignite, halting firefighting efforts overnight.

In Uiseong, a historical Buddhist temple, Gounsa, sustained heavy damage, with nearly half of its 30-plus structures destroyed. Among the losses were two state-designated "treasures"—a pavilion built over a stream in 1668 and a Joseon Dynasty structure from 1904. Fortunately, an 8th-century stone Buddha statue was successfully relocated to safety.

Additionally, the Justice Ministry reported the precautionary relocation of 500 inmates from a detention facility in Cheongsong, another affected town. No damage to the facility was reported.

On Tuesday, the Korea Forest Service raised the wildfire warning to the highest level, urging local authorities to deploy additional emergency teams, restrict access to forests and parks, and suspend military live-fire exercises in affected areas.

Among the 18 confirmed dead were four firefighters and government workers in Sancheong, who tragically perished after being trapped by the fast-moving flames on Saturday. Authorities believe that human negligence may have contributed to several of the fires, possibly linked to the use of fire to clear overgrown grass or sparks from welding activities.

As the wildfires continue to devastate southern South Korea, the nation braces for further destruction, with officials and residents alike working tirelessly to prevent more loss of life and property.