Death toll rises to 28 in S. Korea's worst-ever wildfires

This photo taken on March 27, 2025 shows a building destroyed by wildfires at the Namhu Agricultural Industrial Complex in Andong City, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday. (Xinhua/Jun Hyosang)

SEOUL, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday.

Since March 21, infernos had broken out in 11 areas, mostly in the southeastern Gyeongsang province, and five of them were completely extinguished, according to the central disaster and safety countermeasures headquarters.

In the remaining six areas, 83 percent of the fires were put out on average at 5:00 a.m. local time.

The blazes affected at least 48,150.61 hectares of woodland, marking the country's worst-ever wildfire damage. The previous high was in 2000 when 23,794 hectares of land were ravaged.

Of the wounded, nine people suffered serious injuries. Most of the victims were those aged 60 or higher, according to the headquarters.

The number of affected buildings and structures, such as houses and agricultural facilities, advanced to 3,481, while 23 cultural assets were destroyed. Still displaced were 8,078 people of 2,407 households.

Firefighters struggled to contain the rapidly spreading blazes, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions.

The country's forest service raised the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level on Tuesday.

More than 8,100 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and government officials, as well as 109 helicopters and 967 firefighting equipments were mobilized to combat the wildfires.

This photo taken on March 27, 2025 shows a wildfire in Cheongsong County, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday. (Xinhua/Jun Hyosang)

This photo taken on March 27, 2025 shows a wildfire in Cheongsong County, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday. (Xinhua/Jun Hyosang)

This photo taken on March 27, 2025 shows a building destroyed by wildfires at the Namhu Agricultural Industrial Complex in Andong City, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday. (Xinhua/Jun Hyosang)

Evacuees of a wildfire rest at a community hall used as a shelter in Cheongsong County, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, March 27, 2025.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday. (Xinhua/Jun Hyosang)

This photo taken on March 27, 2025 shows a building destroyed by wildfires at the Namhu Agricultural Industrial Complex in Andong City, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday. (Xinhua/Jun Hyosang)

Evacuees of a wildfire rest at a community hall used as a shelter in Cheongsong County, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, March 27, 2025.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday. (Xinhua/Jun Hyosang)

A firefighter checks fire prevention facilities at the Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday.

The country's forest service raised the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level on Tuesday. More than 8,100 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and government officials, as well as 109 helicopters and 967 firefighting equipment were mobilized to combat the wildfires. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

A firefighter checks fire prevention facilities at the Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday.

The country's forest service raised the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level on Tuesday. More than 8,100 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and government officials, as well as 109 helicopters and 967 firefighting equipment were mobilized to combat the wildfires. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Firefighters carry out fire prevention work at the Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday.

The country's forest service raised the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level on Tuesday. More than 8,100 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and government officials, as well as 109 helicopters and 967 firefighting equipment were mobilized to combat the wildfires. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Firefighters carry out fire prevention work around the Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday.

The country's forest service raised the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level on Tuesday. More than 8,100 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and government officials, as well as 109 helicopters and 967 firefighting equipment were mobilized to combat the wildfires. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Fire engines are on standby at the Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday.

The country's forest service raised the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level on Tuesday. More than 8,100 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and government officials, as well as 109 helicopters and 967 firefighting equipment were mobilized to combat the wildfires. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

A firefighter carries out fire prevention work at the Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday.

The country's forest service raised the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level on Tuesday. More than 8,100 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and government officials, as well as 109 helicopters and 967 firefighting equipment were mobilized to combat the wildfires. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

A firefighter carries out fire prevention work at the Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.

The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday.

The country's forest service raised the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level on Tuesday. More than 8,100 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and government officials, as well as 109 helicopters and 967 firefighting equipment were mobilized to combat the wildfires. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)