South Korea Battles Devastating Wildfires Amidst Strong Winds

South Korea faces a challenge as wildfires rage across its southeastern region, exacerbated by strong winds. The fires, starting in Sancheong County and spreading to Euiseong and Ulju, have claimed four lives, injured six, and displaced over 390 people. Authorities are considering declaring more special disaster zones.

Seoul [South Korea], March 24 (ANI/WAM): South Korea is confronting a severe wildfire crisis across its southeastern region, intensified by powerful and dry winds, authorities reported.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the fires erupted in Sancheong County on Friday, located 250 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and have since spread to neighboring areas, including Euiseong in North Gyeongsang Province and Ulju County in Ulsan, approximately 180 km and 300 km away from the capital, respectively.

The wildfires have resulted in four fatalities in Sancheong, injured six people, and led to the evacuation of more than 1,500 residents to temporary shelters, as stated by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. The Euiseong fire has consumed 4,650 hectares of land, displacing over 390 people. Acting President Choi Sang-mok has directed officials to consider declaring additional disaster zones in the affected regions following Sancheong's designation.

(With inputs from agencies.)