South Korea Forest Fires Rage On: 26 Dead, 30 Injured in Ongoing Disaster

Seoul (The Uttam Hindu): Firefighters are using helicopters to control the biggest forest fire ever in South Korea's southeastern province of North Gyeongsang. So far 26 people have died and 30 others have been injured in this fire.

According to government data, the forest fire that has raged in the region since last Friday has caused massive destruction and about 36,000 hectares of forest has been burnt to ashes. This fire is affecting about 13,000 hectares more area than the forest fire that engulfed the east coast in 2000. At that time, 23,794 hectares of forest was burnt in the fire. About 37,000 people have been displaced from their homes, including 29,911 people in the Uiseong and Andong areas of North Gyeongsang Province. Earlier, acting South Korean President Han Duk-soo ordered acting Interior Minister Ki-dong to stay in North Gyeongsang Province and oversee relief operations for the affected people until the fire is brought under control.

"It is very worrying that many of the victims are elderly people, including patients in nursing hospitals," Han said. "Please take care of the health and safety of the victims and create an effective support system so that firefighters and volunteers can avoid getting exhausted and burning out," he added. In North Gyeongsang Province, authorities have resumed efforts to prevent the spread of wildfires. Forest officials began sending helicopters, fire trucks and firefighters at 6:30 a.m. Saturday to contain the fire in Uiseong County, about 180 kilometers southeast of Seoul, according to Yonhap news agency. The fire spread quickly due to strong winds. About 5 mm of rain is expected in North Gyeongsang Province, according to weather officials. The fires in the province are estimated to have killed 21 people, of which four died in Andong and eight in Yeongdeok County.