One of the worst in history South Korea Fires are devastating the south of the country. As the authorities reported on Wednesday, the fire takes a fatal toll – 24 victims have already been reported.
One of them is a pilot who died after the helicopter breaks down while extinguishing a fire in the south-eastern region Uiseong – One of the most affected by the element. The police say that most of the dead are People aged 60-80.
South Korea. At least 24 fires victims
The National Fire Agency provides data according to which at least 26 people have injured different degrees. Fires consumed houses, factories, vehicles, not saving even an ancient Buddhist temple. In total, almost 18,000 have already burned down. hectares of land.
In a television speech acting the President of South Korea Han all-want He said that the fires that began last Friday are one of the most serious of all whom the country has experienced so far and have devastating effects.
– The damage is growing rapidly. There are fears that fires will cause huge losses, therefore We have to do everything to quench them by the end of the week – he noted.
Han also added that the emergency crews had a problem with extinguishing fire because of the strong wind, blowing at night. On Wednesday, approx. 4.6 thousand soldiers, firefighters and other staff worked using about 130 helicopters. Slight rainfall is expected on Thursday.
Drama in South Korea. The fire digits everything on its way
On Wednesday evening, firefighters extinguished at least six active fires, including in the south-eastern seaside city Yeongdeokand the inhabitants of a nearby village had to evacuate to the indoor gym.
The strong wind and smoky sky were forced by the authorities of the south-eastern city of Andong to order the evacuation in two villages, including in Puncheon, in which there is The folk village of Hahoe – inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Listfounded around the fourteenth-fifteenth century. Wanderers were recommended to leave the picturesque Jiri Mountain, one of the largest national parks in the country, due to the upcoming next fire.
Observers say that the ongoing fires are The third largest fires in the history of South Korea in terms of burned earth.
On Tuesday, officials announced that firefighters extinguished most of the flames resulting from the largest fires in these areas, but The wind and drought allowed them to spread again.
The fire in Uiseong destroyed about 20 out of 30 buildings and construction in Gouns, a temple, which was reportedly built in the 7th century. Among the burned buildings were two “treasures” recognized by the state – a pavilion building, erected with a view of the stream in 1668 and the Joseon dynasty structure – built in 1904 to commemorate the longevity of the king.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice stated that As part of the protection, 500 prisoners from the Ceongsong detention center evacuatedanother city in the south, but no damage was reported in the facility.
Fires in South Korea. The first hypotheses regarding the causes
Korean forest service She raised a warning against fires to the highest level throughout the countryrequiring local governments to allocate more employees to respond crisis, exacerbate the restrictions of entry to forests and parks, and the recommendation of military units to conduct exercises using sharp fire.
According to officials, there is four firefighters and government workerswho died on Saturday in Sancheong after the path of escape through the flames cut them off.
Officials suspect that A few fires caused a human errorprobably due to the use of fire when removing overgrown grass or sparks, created during welding works.