Authorities in South Korea are investigating a 56-year-old man believed to have started a devastating wildfire during a family ritual. The fire has caused significant loss of life and destruction of cultural heritage sites.
Suspect Under Investigation for Starting Deadly South Korean Wildfire
Suspect Under Investigation for Starting Deadly South Korean Wildfire
A man performing ancestral rites is linked to a wildfire that killed 30 people and destroyed historic sites.
A 56-year-old individual is currently under investigation in South Korea for potentially igniting a catastrophic wildfire that resulted in the tragic deaths of 30 people. The unnamed man was reportedly conducting ancestral rituals at a family grave located on a hill in Uiseong county, situated in North Gyeongsang province, when the event unfolded. Although he has been booked for his suspected involvement, he has not yet been arrested and is awaiting questioning following the completion of an investigation at the fire site. The man has denied any wrongdoing.
Recent reports indicate that the main fire, which has wreaked havoc for 10 days, has now been fully contained. The blaze resulted in extensive destruction, including the loss of numerous historic buildings such as the Goun Temple, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple, originally constructed in AD 618, was one of the most significant structures in the region.
Witness accounts suggest that the fire may have ignited when the suspect attempted to burn tree branches near the graves using a cigarette lighter. As the wildfire spread, it consumed more than 48,000 hectares—approximately 80% of the area covered by the capital, Seoul—while destroying around 4,000 structures, encompassing homes and factories. The majority of the casualties have been elderly individuals, primarily in their 60s and 70s.
While the main wildfire is now under control, smaller flare-ups continue to occur. Strong, dry winds have fueled the spread of the fire across different cities and counties, with unseasonably warm and dry weather exacerbating the situation in the region, particularly in its pine forests.
An extensive investigation that will involve police, fire authorities, and forest management will commence next week to evaluate the cause and prevent future incidents. In response to the widespread destruction, South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo announced that the government would offer financial assistance to those affected by the fires.
