South Korea wildfires

March 27, 2025 11:07 AM

South Korea battles worst ever wildfires as death toll hits 26

Wildfires raging in South Korea doubled in size on Thursday from a day earlier, as authorities called the blazes the country's worst natural fire disaster with at least 26 people killed and historic temples incinerated. More than 33,000 hectares (81,500 acres) has been charred or were still burning in the largest of the fires that began in the central Uiseong county, making it the biggest single forest fire in South Korea's history. The previous record was 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres) in a Ma...

March 26, 2025 9:08 AM

Strong winds fan South Korea wildfires as death toll climbs to 18

At least 18 people have died as multiple wildfires rage across South Korea’s southeastern region, with thousands of firefighters aided by the military deployed in a bid to contain one of the country’s worst forest fires in decades. The deadly wildfires have spread rapidly and forced more than 27,000 residents to flee their homes, the government said. The blazes, fuelled by strong winds and dry weather, have razed entire neighbourhoods, closed schools and forced authorities to transfer hundr...

March 25, 2025 9:14 PM

South Korea wildfires spread forcing evacuation of four local prisons, homes

Wildfires spread across South Korea's southeastern region on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of thousands of inmates from local prisons and causing residents to flee their homes. Acting President Han Duck-soo vowed to deploy firefighting helicopters and ground personnel to battle the fires. The city of Andong, with a population of 150,000 people, issued an alert to its residents to evacuate to safe areas, according to a city official and a public text alert. The city is home to the 14th- to 15...