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Investigation Underway for South Korea Wildfire as Death Toll Reaches 30

A devastating wildfire in South Korea has led to the tragic loss of 30 lives, prompting an investigation into its origin. Authorities are focusing on a 56-year-old man suspected of igniting the inferno, which wreaked havoc across North Gyeongsang province.

The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly conducting an ancestral rite near a family grave when the fire broke out. Currently, he has been booked but not arrested, and he is expected to face questioning once investigators finish examining the fire-affected area. He maintains his innocence regarding the allegations.

After a grueling ten days of battling the flames, officials announced that the primary fires have now been fully contained. The blaze has caused extensive destruction, including damage to historic structures and national landmarks, particularly in the region’s cities and counties.

Reports indicate that the suspect’s daughter informed investigators that her father was using a cigarette lighter to ignite tree branches that were overhanging the graves, which might have inadvertently led to the wildfire.

According to the Korea Forest Service, the fire ravaged over 48,000 hectares of land, an area comparable to around 80% of Seoul’s total size. The damage extended to approximately 4,000 structures, encompassing homes, factories, and cultural sites.

Among the most significant losses was Goun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 618 AD, which was one of the largest temples in the province and had held historical value for centuries.

Most of the victims from this disaster were elderly residents in their 60s and 70s, highlighting the severe impact the fire had on vulnerable populations.

The rapid spread of the fire was exacerbated by strong, dry winds, along with unseasonably warm weather conditions, especially in the region’s pine forests, which served as tinder for the flames.

An investigative team, comprising police, fire authorities, and forest management personnel, is set to begin its work next week, seeking to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the outbreak.

In response to the calamity, Acting President Han Duck-soo announced that the government will provide financial assistance to those whose lives have been disrupted by the disaster, aiming to support recovery efforts in the affected communities.

Source
www.bbc.com