South Korea is battling the worst wildfire outbreak the nation has seen. Multiple blazes have claimed 18 lives over the weekend as thousands of firefighters are working to douse the blazes that have been fueled by strong weather and dry conditions. The conflagrations have also threatened many UNESCO World Heritage sites in the region.
South Korea Ravaged By Wildfires That Claimed 18 Lives
According to a report by NDTV, multiple wildfires have razed entire neighbourhoods in South Korea. The nation’s worst wildlife outbreak has closed down schools and even forced the transfer of hundreds of inmates from prisons. The fires have even burned the historical 1300-year-old Gounsa temple in Uiseong County. The temple was a major Buddhist landmark in South Korea known for its ceremonial bell, which is the only piece appearing somewhat intact.
Dozens of buildings were brought down to the ground by the conflagration. A ministry of safety official revealed to news agencies that 18 people died in the wildfires. He added that six people suffered grave injuries and 13, minor injuries. Most people who perished were in their 60s and 70s. The government of South Korea declared the wildfires to be a “full-scale national response” of the highest level. No stone is left unturned to put down the flames.
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Prisoners Evacuated & Colleges Closed
Over 27,000 residents were forced to evacuate, and in a rare step, thousands of prisoners were let out of detention centres. A report by TOI revealed that, unfortunately, a helicopter deployed to extinguish the fire crashed in a mountain area in Uiseong County. One pilot was declared dead on the spot. Dry and windy conditions are posing serious problems for firefighters and authorities. Power outages and road blockages are hampering containment efforts.
A forest disaster expert at the National Institute of Forest Science, Lee Byung-doo, threw more light on this to Reuters. He stated that only 68% of the Uiseong fire being contained shows the unimaginable scale of the fire, exacerbated by gusty winds. The government stated that the wildfires destroyed over 15,000 hectares.
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Climate change is one of the main reasons for wildfires across the globe, and Lee Byung-doo predicts that this will only increase over time. So, the only option is to keep manpower and resources ready to combat such situations.
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