South Korea wildfires leave 28 dead, thousands displaced

Friday 28 March 2025 - 11:36

By: Zahouani Ilham

South Korea wildfires leave 28 dead, thousands displaced

A series of wildfires in South Korea, which began last Friday, have claimed the lives of at least 28 people, left many others injured, and scorched approximately 48,000 hectares (118,000 acres) of forest, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

After rainfall and cooler temperatures Thursday night, firefighting efforts have improved, helping control the blazes, which had been spread by powerful winds from central Uiseong county to the coastal areas. Al Jazeera's Jack Barton, reporting from Uiseong, mentioned that while it's too soon to declare victory, five of the eleven major fires have been contained overnight. Some fires continue to burn fiercely, but significant progress is being made in areas like Uiseong, where flames have been reduced to just 5% of their previous intensity.

Approximately 38,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes, according to the government’s disaster response agency. Lim Sang-seop, head of the Korea Forest Service, reassured the public, stating, “We plan to mobilize all available resources to put out the main flames by the end of the day.”

The wildfires have been exacerbated by dry winds and a prolonged drought, with officials noting that wildfires are common during dry seasons in the country. Increasing temperatures and extreme weather events have made wildfires more frequent and severe in recent years, a trend attributed to the effects of climate change.

Many homes and farms, particularly around Uiseong, have been destroyed, displacing tens of thousands of people. South Korea's acting president, Han Duck-soo, affirmed that every effort will be made to provide financial support for rebuilding homes, with funding considered unlimited. Local governments are working to relocate evacuees from temporary shelters, though this will be a lengthy process.