South Korea Battles Historic Wildfires, Death Toll Reaches 26

South Korea is facing its worst wildfire disaster in history, with at least 26 people confirmed dead and widespread destruction, including the loss of historic cultural artefacts and temples. The wildfires, which began in Uiseong, have scorched over 33,000 hectares, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency and mobilize over 120 helicopters for firefighting efforts. Acting President Han Duck-soo noted that the rapid spread of the fires is unprecedented, exacerbated by strong winds and dry conditions, with minimal rain expected to aid in extinguishing the flames. The damage has included the destruction of ancient Buddhist temples and the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. Human error is suspected to have contributed to the outbreak, with authorities investigating incidents that ignited the fires during agricultural practices. The situation continues to evolve as firefighting efforts are ongoing and the nation grapples with the severe impacts of climate change on fire frequency and intensity.