Seoul: At least 18 people died, and one other 19 were injured when the bush fires devastated the southern regions of South Korea in the midst of dry weather and robust winds, destroying over 200 structures and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate, and government officials gave on Wednesday.
Officials in Andong City and other south-eastern cities and towns ordered residents to evacuate on Tuesday, when firefighters tried to stop just a few flames driven by dry winds, which burned over 17,000 hectares of land and a 1300-year-old Buddhist temple.
Houses, factories and vehicles were amongst damaged structures.
Firefighters on the Wildfire absorbed factory in Uiseong, South Korea on Saturday.Loan: AP
Thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes in Andong, the neighboring units of Uiseong and Sancheong and town of Ulsan, where the fires were the most important, I said the Ministry of the Interior and South Korea security.
Officials from South Korea stated that firefighters were capable of extinguish most of the flames from the most important fires in these areas, but the continued dry and windy weather caused failures and allowed flames to repeat themselves.
Almost 9,000 firefighters, together with over 130 helicopters and lots of of vehicles, were distributed to fight fires, however the efforts were partly suspended overnight when the winds strengthened.
Officials in Andong and Uiseong ordered residents in several villages and people near the University of Andong to evacuate in secure locations or shelters – including schools and gymnasiums – as a fireplace that began in Uiseong, he still spread because of strong winds.
Korea Forest Service Helicopter drops a fireplace delay on a fireplace in Sancheong, South Korea on Tuesday.Loan: AP
According to Korea officials, Heritage Service Blaze in Uiseong destroyed Guns, a Buddhist temple built in the seventh century. There were no immediate reports of injuries, and a few national treasures of the temple, including a stone Buddha statue, were evacuated before the hearth reached wood buildings.
