18 dead, thousands evacuated as wildfires ravage South Korea

WorldEnvironment
26 Mar 2025 • 3:51 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Wildfires in South Korea have killed at least 18 people and injured 20 more.
  • More than 27,000 people have been evacuated from Andong, Uiseong, Sancheong and Ulsan, and hundreds of structures, including a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple, have been destroyed.
  • Strong winds and dry conditions have hampered firefighting efforts, despite the deployment of more than 9,000 personnel.
  • A firefighting helicopter crashed while battling the flames, which have burned through 17,400 hectares (43,000 acres).
  • The fires, believed to be caused by human activity, highlight the increasing risk of large-scale wildfires due to climate change.

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