A giant forest fire swept across swathes of South Korea Friday, as authorities declared a rare national disaster, deploying 900 fire engines and tens of thousands of personnel to bring it under control. Apocalyptic images on television and social media showed walls of flame lighting up the night, buildings engulfed in flames, and clouds of smoke billowing across hillsides during the day.
The central government declared a state of national disaster, entitling affected areas to special assistance including goods and equipment, and banning entry to dangerous zones.
Sokcho which is a city in South Korea is currently in a big trouble with fire up in the mountains and has spreaded till Gangneung. The National fire engine has already headed there way, but pls keep prayers with you that hopefully no one is injured. pic.twitter.com/zN4XHkbkRY
— 빌리브 VELIEVE (@velieve95_kr) April 4, 2019
The last time Seoul made such a declaration was in 2007 when a crude oil carrier leaked thousands of tonnes of oil into the sea off the west coast.
Over 4,200 people were forced to flee their homes in South Korea due to wildfires. Firefighters from all over the country were deployed to contain the blaze, according to the National Fire Agency. pic.twitter.com/v3vghqaIZ9
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) April 5, 2019
President Moon Jae-in told officials to take all measures necessary to battle the inferno, and to liaise with North Korean authorities if the fire approaches the border, the presidential office said.
#prayforkorea "I hope soon the fire is extinguished. And two people are dead and eleven wounded. Help them." ?Our prayers with you. ?? If I lived in South Korea, I could help. But I can't, I'm sorry for that.. 여러분 미안합니다 pic.twitter.com/aT9DCZJHDw
— parkhaneul (@asyakalen) April 4, 2019
Fanned by strong winds it quickly spread through the mountainous area, incinerating 400 homes and 500 hectares of land, according to the government.
I hope all the residence in South Korea are safe and i hope the fire will decrease soon.
— Kitachi (@jeon_daite) April 5, 2019
#PrayForKorea pic.twitter.com/h32Q2tRk8L
Nearly 4,200 people were evacuated and one person died, authorities said, while 35 were injured.
#BREAKING : Goseong , South Korea – Two people have died and thousands have been evacuated after strong winds fanned a large fire burning in a South Korean province that hosted the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.pic.twitter.com/RVSCEjYLEa
— Shark NewsWires (@SharkNewsWires) April 4, 2019
Another man-made fire?
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