Singaporeans in South Korea urged to stay alert amid deadly wildfires
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Smoke rising from a wildfire in Andong, South Korea, on March 25.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SINGAPORE – Singaporeans in South Korea have been urged to stay updated and abide by local authorities’ advice, said the Singapore embassy in Seoul on March 25, as the country battles one of the worst wildfires in its history.
South Korea has declared a national emergency over the ongoing inferno, with the embassy noting that there could be more wildfires due to the dry weather conditions, coupled with strong winds.
The south-eastern region of Gyeongsang, including the cities and counties of Andong, Bonghwa, Sancheong, Uiseong and Ulsan were among the affected areas named in the embassy’s Facebook post.
Singaporeans in South Korea, especially those close to the affected areas, have been encouraged to stay updated through local news, the embassy said.
They should take note of South Korea’s National Disaster and Safety Portal,
Both platforms also have information on safety guidelines and nearby facilities, including shelters, emergency medical centres and fire stations.
Acting Interior and Safety Minister Ko Ki-dong estimated earlier on March 25 that the wildfires had affected around 14,694ha thus far, with the situation worsening.
More than 6,700 firefighters have been deployed to battle the wildfires.
The extent of damage makes the fires collectively the third largest in South Korea’s history, the Korea Herald reported.
The current blaze is only smaller than the 2000 East Coast wildfires and 2022 Uljin-Samcheok wildfires, which destroyed 23,794ha and 16,302ha respectively.
The authorities in Andong on March 25 issued an emergency evacuation alert to residents of the historic Hahoe Folk Village, a popular Unesco-listed world heritage site.
The Gounsa Temple in Uiseong, an ancient temple built in the year 681 was also destroyed on March 25, Yonhap reported.
At least a dozen different blazes broke out over the weekend, with four people killed, local media reported.
