A wildfire broke out in the southern county of Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province, on Monday, prompting authorities to advise several villages to evacuate. Firefighters have been battling the blaze since 12:05 p.m., according to the Korea Forest Service.
Hadong, which was recently affected by South Korea’s worst wildfires, is once again facing a serious fire. The Korea Forest Service responded quickly, evacuating 326 residents. Of these, 214 people are staying in designated shelters for safety.
To combat the fire, the Korea Forest Service mobilized 36 firefighting helicopters and 753 personnel. The fire has already scorched around 65 hectares of land. However, after sunset, all helicopters were pulled out. Over 500 personnel are now working to contain the flames.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. A man in his 70s was taken to a hospital with burns on both hands after attempting to put out the fire on his own. According to the forest service, authorities suspect the man may have caused the fire while working with a turf cutter. Investigations into the exact cause will begin once the fire is under control.
Acting Interior Minister Ko Ki-dong has urged relevant authorities to do everything they can to extinguish the wildfire quickly. During a disaster response meeting, Ko emphasized the importance of ensuring that residents in danger are evacuated and sheltered promptly. He also highlighted the need to establish fire lines to prevent further casualties.
As the firefighting efforts continue, authorities remain focused on preventing the spread of the flames. The Hadong wildfire remains a major concern, with teams working around the clock to contain it.
