At least 18 people have been killed and 19 injured in a series of fast-spreading wildfires that erupted in southeastern South Korea, triggering mass evacuations and causing unprecedented destruction.

The fires began on Friday, March 21, in Sancheong County and rapidly spread due to dry conditions and strong winds. More than 27,000 residents were forced to flee their homes, while over 200 structures, including a 7th-century historic Buddhist temple, were destroyed.

President Han Duck-soo announced the highest-level forest fire emergency, mobilizing 4,650 firefighters, soldiers, and 130 helicopters to contain the blazes. Despite these efforts, ongoing drought and high winds continue to hamper containment operations.

Authorities were also forced to evacuate 500 inmates from a detention center in Cheongsong as a precaution.