South Korea: Worst-ever wildfires contained in Gyeongsang provinces

SEOUL: Massive wildfires that ravaged the provinces of North and South Gyeongsang for over a week have been fully contained, authorities said Sunday.

Acting Interior Minister Ko Ki-dong made the announcement during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), saying the main blaze of the wildfires that swept through both provinces has been fully extinguished, Yonhap news agency reproted. "The wildfires are estimated to have caused the greatest loss of lives and property in our history," Ko said.

According to the CDSCH, the wildfire in North Gyeongsang, which began on March 22, was fully contained on Friday. The blaze in South Gyeongsang, which started a day earlier on March 21, was brought under control earlier Sunday.

The country's worst-ever wildfires left 75 casualties, including 30 deaths, and scorched an estimated 48,000 hectares of land. More than 3,000 homes were destroyed, along with 30 cultural heritage sites and around 2,000 agricultural facilities.

The government plans to set up temporary shelters in training centers and private facilities to support displaced residents and help their swift return to daily life.

The victims will also receive emergency relief funds and psychological and medical support.

South Korea's Police authorities said on Sunday that they have booked a man suspected of starting massive wildfires that ravaged the southeastern part of the country. The 56-year-old man is accused of causing the fire at around 11:25 a.m. on March 22 while performing an ancestral rite at a family grave on a hill in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, Yonhap news agency reported. (IANS)

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