Listeners:
Top listeners:
-
play_arrow
South Korea Battles ‘Worst Ever’ Wildfires; Dozens Killed In ‘Apocalypse’
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
SEOUL (Worthy News) – South Korea’s Acting President Han Duck-soo said Thursday, “We are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires” that killed at least 27 people.
The Asian nation’s worst wildfires on record doubled in seize Thursday from a day earlier, and authorities said scores of people were left dead and many more injured. Tens of thousands of people were displaced, and over 300 structures were destroyed in the disaster, authorities announced.
Among those killed is a pilot whose helicopter reportedly crashed in Uiseong whilst trying to control the flames.
The wildfires have been raging across South Korea’s southeastern regions since last Friday, destroying anything in their path, including ancient Buddhist temples, according to witnesses.
An unidentified 68-year-old monk said he was “devastated” when he heard about the destruction of the Gounsa temple. “We will do our best to restore the function of the temple,” he told reporters.
The 1,300 Buddhist architectural structure deemed a national treasure from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) was destroyed, forestry authorities confirmed.
The fire in Uiseong city happened while many cultural relics were removed and transported to safer ground, officials said. The impact on churches was unclear immediately, but South Korea has a significant devoted Christian community.
33,000 HECTARES GONE
On Thursday, officials confirmed that over 33,000 hectares (81,500 acres) had been charred or were still burning in the largest fires that began in Uiseong county. This made it the most enormous single forest fire in South Korea’s history. The previous record was 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres) in a March 2000 fire.
Acting President Han Duck-soo warned that the “unprecedented” crisis is “rewriting the record books for the worst wildfires in our nation’s history.”
South Korea’s government mobilized thousands of emergency responders and dozens of helicopters to tackle the blazes, but officials cautioned that their efforts were hampered by strong winds fanning the flares.
Authorities announced that the wildfires that originated in Uiseong have been rushing eastward, spreading almost to the coast. They are carried by gusty winds, and dry conditions are aggravating the situation.
The Uiseong fire began spreading quickly on Wednesday, reaching the coastal county of Yeongdeok 51 km (32 miles) away in just 12 hours, warned Won Myung-soo, director of satellite imagery analysis for the National Forestry Service.
Government officials suspect human error caused several of the fires, possibly due to the use of fire while clearing overgrown grass in family tombs or sparks from welding work.
A 30-year-old man living in Uiseong said: “Both the upstairs and next door houses were burned down. This area is full of grandparents. They have lived here their whole lives, and when their houses burn down, they have nowhere to go.”
NOT ENOUGH RAIN
Rain was due later Thursday, but Korea Forest Service chief Lim Sang-seop said the forecast amount — less than 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) — was unlikely to help much extinguish the wildfires.
By Thursday, thousands of firefighters, about 5,000 military personnel, and helicopters from the U.S. military stationed in Korea had been deployed to contain the flames.
Yet that help came too late for a village resident in the Andong area: “Our house has completely burned down. It was almost completely collapsed.”
Elsewhere in the city of Andong, people sheltering at an elementary school were told to leave quickly as gusty winds spread the fire.
In Andong, truck driver Lee Seung-Joo saw the mountains burn as he drove by.
“It was like the apocalypse,” the 39-year-old recalled.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
In a setback to those hoping for regime change in the Islamic Republic, U.S. President Donald J. Trump signaled Friday that he may begin “winding down” military operations against Iran, saying Washington is close to achieving its objectives.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to visit Hungary in a last-minute show of support for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who faces his toughest election since returning to power in 2010, officials familiar with the planning confirmed.
Anti-immigration and local parties made gains in municipal elections in the Netherlands, where concerns over rising migration from mainly Islamic countries, the financial impact of climate policies, and increased defense spending have dominated national and local debates.
Israel signaled Thursday it would refrain from further attacks on energy infrastructure after a strike on Iran’s vast South Pars natural gas field triggered retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, sending oil and natural gas prices sharply higher and raising fears of a wider regional escalation.
European Union leaders condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s decision on Thursday to block a 90 billion euro ($98 billion) loan for Ukraine, linking his stance to a dispute with Kyiv over Russian oil supplies.
Families and friends of scores of Christians held in Iranian prisons have requested prayers as “concerns for their well-being grow and communication has all but ceased” amid ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, Christians told Worthy News Thursday.
As a marathon debate over the SAVE America Act continues in the U.S. Senate, Republicans and Democrats are sparring over whether the voter ID bill would strengthen election security or discourage potential voters.
WHO WE ARE
The Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs encapsulate the beauty, wisdom, and eternal truths found in the Bible, creating an immersive experience that resonates with believers and seekers alike.
CONTACT
- +1 908 280-4246
- Essex County, USA
- info@tnjrfm.com