South Korea Archives - Disasters News

In March 2025, southeastern South Korea faced its most destructive wildfire disaster in recorded history. More than 48,000 hectares were consumed by flames, 32 lives were lost, and nearly 37,000 people displaced driven by record-breaking weather conditions linked to human-induced climate change. Over a dozen wildfires erupted on March 22nd and 23rd, 2025, and rapidly spread due to scorching temperatures, dry conditions, and fierce winds. By the time the flames were contained, the fires had incinerated more than 48,000 hectares over 20,000 more than South Korea’s second-largest wildfire event in April 2022. Uiseong County suffered the worst, recording 26 of the 32 deaths, with Sancheong reporting four more. In total, 45 people were injured and over 5,000 buildings including homes, far...

South Korea is battling its deadliest wildfire outbreak, with at least 18 fatalities and 19 injuries reported as flames continue to consume vast areas of the country's southeastern regions. The fires, which erupted on March 21 in Sancheong County, have spread rapidly to Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok, forcing over 23,000 people to evacuate. Acting President Han Duck-soo described the situation as “unprecedented”, marking a historic wildfire disaster in a country where such fires are relatively rare. The National Fire Agency has escalated its response to the highest emergency level, deploying thousands of firefighters, 5,000 military personnel, and US military helicopters to combat the blazes. Among the devastation is Gounsa Temple1,300-year-old Buddhist site, w...

Tag: South Korea

Korea Deadliest Wildfires: Climate Change, Old Forests, and a Deadly March Inferno

South Korea Faces Worst Wildfire Crisis as Blazes Leave 18 Dead, Thousands Displaced