At least 15 people have died as wildfires continue to ravage South Korea’s southeastern region, Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday.

The fires, which began on Saturday, have spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry conditions. Entire neighbourhoods have been razed, with ancient temples destroyed and thousands forced to flee. Authorities have evacuated residents and relocated inmates from local prisons.

Some fatalities occurred when people attempted to escape but were killed after their vehicle overturned, Yonhap said.

Acting President Han Duck-soo pledged full deployment of firefighting helicopters and ground crews, vowing to bring the fires under control.

The government has designated the impacted areas as special disaster zones, enabling emergency funding and faster relief efforts as the crisis continues.

Copied