Affected Area Reaches 48,238 Hectares
6,885 Evacuees and 4,193 Households Displaced
The number of casualties due to the wildfire disaster in the Yeongnam region has increased to 73.
On the 25th, a wildfire caused by embers broke out in Danchon-myeon, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk. Yonhap News
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) as of 4 p.m. on the 29th, there have been 73 casualties, including 30 deaths caused by the wildfire.
By region, Gyeongbuk reported 57 casualties, including 26 deaths and 31 injuries, while Gyeongnam experienced 14 casualties, including 4 deaths, 5 serious injuries, and 5 minor injuries. In Ulsan Ulju, 2 people sustained minor injuries.
The Gyeongbuk wildfire was fully extinguished on the 28th but reignited in Andong and Uiseong on the morning of the same day, prompting authorities to resume firefighting efforts.
The wildfire, which started on the 21st in Sancheong, Gyeongnam, and spread throughout the Yeongnam region, has been burning forests for nine days. As of 6 a.m. on the day, the containment rate of the Sancheong wildfire was 96%.
The affected area due to the wildfire is 48,238 hectares, which is 166 times the size of Yeouido, Seoul (290 hectares). By region, Uiseong has the largest affected area at 12,821 hectares, followed by Andong with 9,896 hectares, Cheongsong with 9,320 hectares, Yeongdeok with 8,050 hectares, Yeongyang with 5,070 hectares, and Sancheong and Hadong with 1,858 hectares.
Damage to facilities such as houses has also occurred. It is estimated that 4,801 places, including 2,996 households and 1,142 agricultural facilities, have been damaged. The number of evacuees who have not yet returned home after evacuating due to the wildfire is counted at 6,885.
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