**Tragic Wildfires Claim Lives in Southeast South Korea**

Four fatalities and six injuries reported, with ongoing firefighting efforts across the region.

A series of wildfires erupted in southeastern South Korea over the weekend, resulting in the death of four individuals and injuring six more. The Interior Ministry reported that nearly 30 distinct fires ignited, impacting close to 4,700 acres and forcing approximately 1,000 residents to evacuate their homes.

Thousands of firefighters, supported by a fleet of helicopters, were deployed to combat 29 forest fires, with significant progress made by Sunday morning, as officials indicated that all but six of the blazes had been extinguished. A state of disaster was declared for parts of the affected region, which experienced considerable disruptions to train services and road closures.

The majority of casualties were linked to a fire that began in Sancheong County, located about 160 miles southeast of Seoul, on Friday afternoon. Among the deceased were at least two firefighters. The incident reportedly initiated when a farmer’s lawn mower caught fire, igniting a chain reaction of destruction.

In addition, another fire was reported to have started in a cemetery in Euiseong County, while a separate blaze ignited from a garbage incinerator in Gimhae, a city near Busan. As of Sunday morning, the Sancheong fire was approximately 30 percent contained, while the Euiseong fire remained just 3 percent contained, with fire officials hopeful of controlling the situation by day’s end.

The Korea Meteorological Administration has noted that March, April, and May are typically among the driest months in the country, contributing to the rapid spread of wildfires under current dry and windy conditions.