Death toll rises to 26 as South Korea battles wildfires

Seoul

South Korea's southeastern province of North Gyeongsang is grappling with its worst-ever wildfires, with the death toll now reaching 26. More than 30 people have also been injured as firefighters, aided by helicopters, struggle to control the devastating blazes. The fires, which began last Friday, have scorched around 36,000 hectares of woodland—almost 13,000 hectares more than the previous record set by wildfires in 2000.

The wildfires have forced the evacuation of approximately 37,000 people, including nearly 30,000 from the Uiseong and Andong areas. Acting President Han Duck-soo has directed relief efforts, particularly for the elderly and those in nursing homes who are among the hardest-hit victims. "Please ensure the health and safety of the victims and support the exhausted firefighters and volunteers," Han said in a statement.

Firefighting efforts resumed early Thursday, with helicopters, fire trucks, and personnel deployed to contain the flames that started in Uiseong County and spread quickly due to strong winds. Despite some rain forecasts, officials remain concerned about the fire’s rapid spread.

The fires have devastated parts of Andong, home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Hahoe Folk Village. Some areas, including Yeongdeok, have experienced water and power disruptions, with around 2,500 homes in Andong affected by outages.

Authorities continue their efforts to contain the wildfires, while displaced residents face ongoing hardships. Nearly 2,500 homes have been damaged, and recovery remains a challenging task.