A massive wildfire sweeping across southeastern South Korea has become the largest in the country’s history, surpassing previous records for forest destruction.
The flames have claimed 26 lives and forced tens of thousands to evacuate, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The fires broke out over the weekend, consuming 35,810 hectares of land over 10,000 hectares more than the devastating wildfire of 2000.
With strong winds and extremely dry conditions fueling the spread, traditional firefighting methods have struggled to contain the disaster.
“The fire is spreading at an unprecedented speed,” said Lee Han-kyung, South Korea’s disaster and safety chief. “So far, 26 people have died, and dozens more have been injured.”
Authorities reported that most of the victims were residents, but among the casualties were three firefighters and a helicopter pilot who died in a crash while attempting to battle the blaze.
Meteorologists have pointed to climate change as a contributing factor, noting that South Korea experienced its hottest year on record in 2023, with temperatures averaging 14.5°C.
The affected region has seen half its usual rainfall, exacerbating the crisis.
“The combination of extreme dryness and high winds has significantly worsened the situation,” said climatologist Yeh Sang-Wook of Hanyang University.
He stressed that while climate change may not be the sole cause, it has undeniably intensified the conditions for wildfires.
The demographic impact of the crisis has also raised concerns
as South Korea’s aging population is particularly vulnerable. Many victims include elderly residents and patients from nursing homes, prompting Acting President Han Duck-soo to order an emergency response team to oversee relief efforts in the affected areas.
Cultural heritage sites are also at risk, with fire officials working to protect historic landmarks, including UNESCO-listed locations. Firefighters have been spraying large amounts of water and clearing flammable vegetation to prevent the fire from reaching these important sites.
Authorities are now pinning their hopes on an expected rainfall later on Thursday, which could help bring the catastrophic blaze under control.