South Korea Wildfires Kill 24 and Force Thousands to Evacuate

A wild five-day blaze has devastated south-eastern South Korea, reducing houses, farms, and structures to ashes. The raging fire, driven by a deadly drought and powerful winds, had been spreading rapidly, justifying the evacuation of about 27,000 residents. Authorities have a minimum of 24 deaths confirmed, including firefighters and the pilot of a helicopter. The tragedy rages on with rescue teams going through a tough ordeal to extinguish the fire despite unfavorable weather conditions.

The fires have hit hardest in areas like Andong and Uiseong, where tens of residents evacuated villages as fire raged through their communities. National highways like National Route 7 were chaos as evacuees were held up in traffic as they attempted to flee the fast-moving fire. The victims are said to have perished while trying to rescue others within their communities. Rescue operations also remain on the lookout for missing persons, including elderly persons who may not have been able to leave early enough.

The authorities are having a hard time in trying to combat the wildfires due to strong winds that have rendered aerial efforts at firefighting nearly impossible. Helicopters and drones are grounded, and firefighters and rescue personnel have been forced to work on the ground. The authorities warn that the fires may continue to spread as long as the weather doesn't improve. South Korea's acting president has labeled the situation as one that is producing "unprecedented damage," with fears that the destruction will escalate before it can be brought under control.

The fires have totally devastated agriculture in the region, as farms were destroyed and herds of animals slaughtered. The local farmers are threatened with long-term crop loss if the smoke continues to obstruct sunlight and change the production process in agriculture. Rescue teams also moved into the area, with high numbers of pet animals and domestic animals left behind. A number of animals allegedly succumbed to smoke inhalation, as others survive severe burn and trauma.

Most of the displaced individuals are senior citizens, which reveals South Korea's demographic problem as the most aged society in the world. People in their sixties and seventies overcrowd evacuation centers, among whom there are those who need medical care for chronic diseases. Residents expressed complaints about delayed response from firefighters, with some of them asserting that their houses were already nothing but char when aid reached them. The authorities are still looking for the reason behind the fire, which was caused by someone sitting vigil at a traditional burial ground.

The South Korean government has sent thousands of emergency personnel, soldiers, and firefighters to fight the blazes. Food, medical care, and shelter are to be distributed to those displaced. The magnitude of the damage presents a challenge for long-term recovery efforts. The government is calling for national solidarity to fight the fire and support impacted communities.

While the fire keeps burning, officials wait with hope that favorable weather conditions would help with the containment of the fire. The extent of loss and destruction has caused concerns over how wildfires could be prevented as well as the response to wildfires in South Korea. Time is of essence, and officials note that prolonged efforts are necessary in order to support victims of the disaster. 

Source: AFP
Credits: Sue Han Kim, Hieun Shin