Wildfires Devastate South Korea, Claims Lives and Displaces Hundreds

As wildfires sweep across South Korea, at least two fatalities have been reported, prompting mass evacuations and the declaration of a national disaster in affected regions.

At least two people have died, and hundreds have been forced to evacuate their homes as wildfires continue to rage across South Korea on Saturday. According to news agency Yonhap, the fatalities include two firefighters who were found in Sancheong County, located in the south-east of the country. Additionally, two firefighters are currently reported missing amid the unfolding crisis, as numerous fires blaze throughout South Korea, based on reports from the Korea Forest Service.

A state of national disaster was declared at 18:00 local time (09:00 GMT), affecting Ulsan city as well as North and South Gyeongsang provinces in the south-east region. Over 200 residents were mandated to leave their residences in eight villages due to the hazardous conditions posed by the Sancheong County fire in South Gyeongsang province.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok called for all resources to be mobilized to extinguish the inferno before sunset; however, high winds have significantly hampered firefighting efforts in the area, located approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) southeast of Seoul. In a separate incident, more than 400 residents were evacuated in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, due to another wildfire. In light of these events, the forest service has issued severe wildfire warnings for 12 locations, which include the bustling city of Busan and the central city of Daejeon.