China Fires in East Asia - at least 24 dead in South Korea
The death toll from the forest fires in South Korea has risen to at least 24, according to the South Korean daily newspaper "Chosun Ilbo". The out-of-control fire also injured 26 people, twelve of them seriously. The authorities fear further deaths in the coming days. There are also fires in other East Asian countries, some of which have had devastating consequences.
26.03.2025, 08:49
26.03.2025, 10:14
SDA
Several firefighters are among the dead in South Korea. Two firefighters and two government officials have already died fighting the flames over the weekend. A helicopter also crashed on Wednesday during firefighting operations in the Uiseong district. The 73-year-old pilot died. The reasons for the crash are still unclear. In an initial reaction, the authorities have suspended all flights of around 140 helicopters in the affected fire areas.
Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, who is currently also taking over from suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, said in a televised address that "the damage caused by the fires is unprecedented". According to local media, these are the third-largest forest fires in the country's history.
An area of more than 40,000 hectares has already burned down. Around 30,000 residents have been evacuated to safety, including several hundred prison inmates in the affected areas. At least four counties have been declared disaster areas.
The fires have already destroyed several historical sites. For example, a temple over a thousand years old burned down completely. The historic Hahoe village, which was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2010, is also threatened by the flames. Residents have been called to evacuate.
The government has mobilized around 5,000 firefighters against the flames. A number of South Korean companies have also announced their support: car manufacturer Hyundai Motor and conglomerates SK and LG have announced that they will donate two billion won (approximately 1.3 million euros) to help rebuild the affected areas.
What are the causes of the forest fires in South Korea?
The fire broke out on Friday in Sancheong County, about 250 kilometers southeast of the capital Seoul. According to the authorities, winds and a prolonged drought fueled the fires. The situation is still extremely tense. Although light rain showers are forecast for the south-east of the country on Thursday, these are unlikely to be enough to make a significant difference to the fire-fighting efforts.
Forest fires are a regular occurrence in South Korea during prolonged dry periods. In recent years, both average temperatures and extreme weather have increased in the country, which has significantly increased the risk of fires and their extent. Scientists also see the increase in forest fires in South Korea as an indicator of advancing climate change.
Thousands of animals die in Mongolia
South Korea is not the only country affected: Drought also favored the spread of numerous fires in other East Asian countries. In Mongolia, a country between Russia and China that is particularly affected by climate change, civil protection reported 28 forest and steppe fires across the country as of Monday. The number of fires during the spring drought has risen dramatically, explained a fire department spokesperson.
The flames have so far destroyed an area of almost 1.4 million hectares - almost as large as Schleswig-Holstein (1.58 million hectares). In addition, around 7,500 sheep and cattle fell victim to the flames in the country, which is still heavily influenced by nomadism.
China's fire department battles many wildfires
In neighboring China, firefighters battled several wildfires due to the persistent drought, particularly in the north and east. In Anhui province, around 700 rescue workers extinguished a fire near the large city of Hefei, as reported by the official news agency Xinhua. The authorities suspected that local residents had started the fire during the ritual burning of paper money in memory of their ancestors.
A similar case occurred in the Beijing suburb of Fangshan. In Shanxi province, more than 2,000 helpers and firefighters fought their way through bushes and trees to extinguish a forest fire that started on Monday, according to state media.
