SEOUL (UCAN): By March 31, the deadliest wildfires to strike South Korea to date had reportedly been brought under control, according to the BBC. A 56-year-old man in Uiseong county was under investigation for possibly instigating the devastating blaze while cleaning an ancestral grave.
Earlier, the Diocese of Andong, appealed for prayer and financial support for victims of the nation’s deadliest wildfire, which, to date, has killed at least 27 people, injured many, and caused widespread devastation.
The wildfire started on March 22 in Uiseong, in the country’s southeastern region. According to reports on March 15, was uncontrollable and had spread to other counties.
Despite frantic efforts from firefighters and security forces to douse the fire, it spread to the city of Andong, and the counties of Cheongsong, Yeongdeok, Yeongyang, and others, including Uiseong.
Associated Press reported on March 28 that the fire in Yeongdeok had been contained.
Diocesan officials said the wildfire has engulfed and destroyed vast areas, making it difficult to estimate the damage accurately.
On March 25, the fire spread to the mountain behind Cheongsong Cathedral, forcing an evacuation. There was no significant damage to the cathedral but it is understood that many houses were damaged.
In Andong City, the wildfire spread to the vicinity of Kyungkuk National University, forcing students to evacuate for a time, while 50 out of 100 households in Gwangyeon-ri village were completely burned down.
A wildfire broke out near the shrine in Ugok, raising concerns for a time, but fortunately, no significant damage was done.
On the night of March 25, the fire spread to Bonghwa-gun, forcing Catholics in Mulya-myeon to evacuate.
The diocese reported that many houses in the Namseon and Imha areas of Andong Yongsan-dong Parish were completely burned down, and an entire village was destroyed.
The fire devastated houses and orchards in villages under the Andong Jeongsan-dong Parish in Cheongsong-gun.
Earlier on March 24, the fire destroyed pine trees and lawns around the cemetery of the Euisong Parish Church in the Diocese of Andong.
In addition, two storage facilities and farm sheds operated by people from the parish were destroyed, along with various agricultural machinery and equipment stored there, causing huge losses. The estimated loss from the fire in the parish is about 53.5 million won [US$36,506].
On March 24, the Diocese of Andong issued a pastoral letter seeking prayer and financial support for the disaster victims.
“Many people, including parishioners in the Uiseong area of the diocese, are suffering from the forest fire damage,” the letter said.
“Please pray for them so they do not lose hope,” the letter said.
The diocese said that it is forming an emergency response committee for forest fire damage centered on priests in accordance with the diocesan manual for disaster preparedness, sharing information, and seeking response measures.
The diocese also designated April 6, the 5th Sunday of Lent, for those affected by the wildfire.
Media reports, citing government sources, say the wildfires in South Korea this year are the deadliest on record. The blaze has burned down more than 35,000 hectares. At least 37,000 people have been displaced, and more than 300 structures, including temples, have been destroyed.
“We are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires,” acting president, Han Duck-soo, told a government response meeting, Associated Press reported on March 27.
This report is brought to you in partnership with Catholic Times of Korea
