South Korea Battles Record-Breaking Wildfires, Death Toll Rises

The South Korean government reported a rising death toll of 26, with an additional 30 individuals injured, as the nation's most devastating wildfires continued to spread across southeastern regions. The fires have been ongoing since the previous Friday.

The central disaster and safety countermeasures headquarters indicated that medium and large-scale wildfires have been active in ten areas, primarily within Gyeongsang province. These fires have impacted at least 36,009 hectares of woodland. This represents the most extensive wildfire damage ever recorded in the country, surpassing the previous record of 23,794 hectares affected in 2000.

Among the injured, eight individuals sustained serious injuries. The majority of the fatalities involved individuals aged 60 or older, according to the headquarters. The number of buildings and structures affected, including homes, factories, and cultural assets, reached 325. Furthermore, over 37,000 people have been displaced due to the fires.

Firefighters faced significant challenges in containing the rapidly spreading blazes, which were intensified by strong, dry winds. The country's forest service elevated the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level. Thousands of firefighters, along with helicopters and fire trucks, were deployed to combat the ongoing wildfires.