A 56-year-old man is being investigated in South Korea for allegedly sparking a devastating wildfire that resulted in the loss of 30 lives. The individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, was attending to a family grave on a hillside in Uiseong county, North Gyeongsang province, when the disastrous fire erupted. Although he has been booked for questioning, he has not yet been arrested and maintains his innocence.
On Sunday, officials confirmed that the main fire, which has wreaked havoc for over ten days, has finally been brought under control, although it led to extensive damage to both residential and historic structures, including the UNESCO World Heritage site, Goun Temple.
The temple, which dates back to AD 618, was one of many properties significantly impacted by the blaze, which scorched over 48,000 hectares—an area roughly akin to 80% of Seoul. In addition to this, around 4,000 buildings, including homes and factories, were destroyed.
Reports indicate that the suspect's daughter informed investigators that the fire ignited when her father attempted to clean the grave by burning tree branches with a cigarette lighter.
Most of the deceased victims were elderly individuals in their 60s and 70s. Despite the main fire being contained, smaller flare-ups remain a concern, exacerbated by strong winds and dry conditions in the region. The weather has been unusually warm, contributing to the rapid spread of these wildfires across multiple cities and counties.
In response to the calamity, South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo announced that the government will assist the displaced individuals. A formal investigation, involving police, fire authorities, and forest management, is scheduled for next week to further understand the incident’s implications and cause.
