The wildfire destroyed national treasures like Goun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 56-year-old man, performing ancestral rites near a grave in Uiseong county, is being investigated for allegedly igniting a wildfire that resulted in the death of 30 people. Although the suspect has not been arrested, he has been questioned by authorities after officials reported that the fire was finally under control, following a lengthy 10-day battle against the blaze.
Witness accounts suggest that the fire originated when the man attempted to burn tree branches at the grave using a lighter, a claim his daughter reportedly made to investigators. The wildfire caused extensive damage, scorching over 48,000 hectares — a size comparable to about 80% of Seoul, according to the Korea Forest Service.
Additionally, the inferno led to the destruction of approximately 4,000 structures, including homes, factories, and notable historical sites like Goun Temple, established in AD618.
While the major fire has been contained, smaller outbreaks continue to pose a threat. Authorities attribute the rapid spread of the fires to strong winds, unseasonably dry weather, and the presence of pine forests in the vicinity.
Next week, a collaborative investigation involving police, fire departments, and forest management is set to take place. Meanwhile, South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo announced plans for financial aid to assist those displaced by the fires, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of this devastating environmental disaster.
Witness accounts suggest that the fire originated when the man attempted to burn tree branches at the grave using a lighter, a claim his daughter reportedly made to investigators. The wildfire caused extensive damage, scorching over 48,000 hectares — a size comparable to about 80% of Seoul, according to the Korea Forest Service.
Additionally, the inferno led to the destruction of approximately 4,000 structures, including homes, factories, and notable historical sites like Goun Temple, established in AD618.
While the major fire has been contained, smaller outbreaks continue to pose a threat. Authorities attribute the rapid spread of the fires to strong winds, unseasonably dry weather, and the presence of pine forests in the vicinity.
Next week, a collaborative investigation involving police, fire departments, and forest management is set to take place. Meanwhile, South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo announced plans for financial aid to assist those displaced by the fires, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of this devastating environmental disaster.
