South Korea Faces Deadly Wildfires, Death Toll Rises to 26 as Thousands Battle the Blazes

South Korea is grappling with the devastation of massive wildfires that have claimed the lives of at least 26 people and destroyed more than 300 buildings. The fires, which have been burning in the southern regions for days, have prompted the mobilization of thousands of personnel and dozens of helicopters to combat the country’s worst wildfire crisis to date. Authorities have acknowledged that the rain expected on Thursday less than 5 millimeters is unlikely to significantly help in extinguishing the fires.

Among the fatalities are a helicopter pilot who died in a crash during firefighting efforts and four firefighters who were trapped by fast-moving flames. Most of the civilian victims, believed to be in their 60s and 70s, were caught in the wildfires that began last Friday. Authorities suspect human error as the cause of several fires, with some sparked by activities like clearing overgrown grass near family tombs or welding work.

The fires have scorched 35,810 hectares (88,488 acres) of land, marking the worst damage from wildfires in South Korea’s history. Nearly 30 people have been injured, and over 24,200 people have been forced to evacuate. In response, the government has deployed over 9,000 personnel and 120 helicopters to battle the blazes. Acting President Han Duck-soo has expressed concerns over the expanding damage, urging the nation to focus all resources on firefighting efforts. The hardest-hit areas include Andong, Uiseong, Sancheong, and Ulsan, with historical sites like the Gounsa temple complex in Uiseong suffering significant damage. The Korea Forest Service has issued its highest wildfire warning level, intensifying emergency responses across affected regions.