28,000 People Displaced
Administrative Resources Focused on Monitoring Activities
Gwangju Buk-gu announced on the 26th that the recording of the KBS National Singing Contest, which was scheduled for the 30th, will be temporarily postponed due to the spread of wildfire damage.
On the 26th, the valley village of Hwamae1-ri, Seokbo-myeon, Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk, was devastated by a wildfire. Photo by Yonhap News
Buk-gu determined that it would not be appropriate to proceed with a public event in the midst of a national disaster situation, as large-scale wildfires have recently continued in the Gyeongsang region and the wildfire disaster crisis alert has been raised to the "serious" level. This decision also takes into consideration the respect for firefighting personnel engaged in rescue operations at wildfire sites and the atmosphere of mourning for the victims.
The district plans to focus its administrative resources on monitoring activities to prevent wildfires for the time being. It also considered the fact that, as personnel and equipment from across the country are being deployed to wildfire sites, a rapid response to local wildfires could be difficult.
District Mayor Moon In said, "We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the residents and victims affected by the wildfires," and added, "Although the scheduled event has been inevitably postponed, we will do our utmost to prevent and respond to wildfires in the region."
Meanwhile, according to the National Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters), as of 9 a.m. on this day, the number of deaths caused by wildfires has reached 18, the affected area is 17,534 hectares, and the number of displaced people is about 28,000. The district plans to reschedule the recording of the KBS National Singing Contest in consultation with KBS once the wildfire situation is resolved.
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