South Korea Wildfires Kill 18 Government Declares National Emergency

At least 18 people have been killed in one of South Korea’s worst wildfire outbreaks, as multiple blazes ravaged the country’s southeastern region over the weekend. The fires, driven by strong winds and dry weather, have caused massive destruction, prompting the government to raise the crisis alert to its highest level and declare a "full-scale national response."

Thousands of firefighters, supported by the military, have been deployed to battle the wildfires, which have spread across more than a dozen locations. The fires have devastated entire neighborhoods, forced the closure of schools, and led to the evacuation of hundreds of prison inmates. Officials described the situation as "unprecedented" in terms of scale and intensity.

One of the most destructive blazes tore through villages and even reduced a historic temple to ashes, according to a report by news agency AFP. The South Korean Ministry of Safety confirmed the death toll, stating, "Eighteen people died in the wildfires," while also reporting that six individuals were seriously injured and 13 sustained minor injuries. Many of those who perished were elderly, aged in their 60s and 70s, according to Reuters.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has called for an all-out emergency response to contain the fires and provide aid to affected communities. Authorities are using helicopters, fire trucks, and specialized firefighting teams to bring the situation under control, but efforts have been hampered by strong winds, which continue to fan the flames.

The government has warned that the risk of wildfires remains high due to ongoing dry conditions and urged residents in affected areas to remain on high alert. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but officials fear it could take weeks to fully extinguish the fires and begin recovery efforts.