An inferno that engulfed South Korea brought down many historical sites could have possibly been the result of sparks from a cigarette lighter.
What came to light was rather shocking. A man was tending to his grandparents' gravesites, and while clearing the weeds around, he set twigs on fire, which reportedly led to the largest wildfire the country has seen in its history.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-wildfires-24-killed-as-inferno-threatens-unesco-listed-sites-with-unprecedented-damage-8893062">South Korea wildfires: 24 killed as inferno threatens UNESCO-listed sites with &lsquo;unprecedented damage&rsquo;</a>
The police currently investigating the matter, told news agency AFP, &ldquo;We booked him without detention for investigation on Saturday on suspicions of inadvertently starting the wildfires."
This trigger has set ablaze about 118,610 acres of forest land and killed 30 people. North Gyeongsang province&rsquo;s Uiseong is by far the worst hit with 31629 acres affected. The gravity of the disaster was so intense that the fumes were visible through satellite imagery. Officials investigating the disaster are terming it the worst disaster, and global warming has only made the situation worse by multiplying the impact.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/helicopter-fighting-south-korea-wildfires-crashes-pilot-killed-8892556">Helicopter fighting South Korea wildfires crashes, Pilot killed</a>
The fire spread across the region; the winds and ultra-dry conditions fuelled the situation further. South Korea had also recorded the hottest summer in 2024 as the average rainfall was way below average. The blaze has also burned down the Gounsa temple complex in Uiseong, which is believed to have been built in the seventh century.
Whether the situation was triggered by the man clearing the gravesite is yet to be ascertained. The report with on-site findings could take longer than a month.
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An inferno that engulfed South Korea brought down many historical sites could have possibly been the result of sparks from a cigarette lighter.

An inferno that engulfed South Korea brought down many historical sites could have possibly been the result of sparks from a cigarette lighter. What came to light was rather shocking. A man was tending to his grandparents' gravesites, and while clearing the weeds around, he set twigs on fire, which reportedly led to the largest wildfire the country has seen in its history. Also read: South Korea wildfires: 24 killed as inferno threatens UNESCO-listed sites with ‘unprecedented damage’ The police currently investigating the matter, told news agency AFP, “We booked him without detention for investigation on Saturday on suspicions of inadvertently starting the wildfires." This trigger has set ablaze about 118,610 acres of forest land and killed 30 people. North Gyeongsang province’s Uiseong is by far the worst hit with 31629 acres affected. The gravity of the disaster was so intense that the fumes were visible through satellite imagery. Officials investigating the disaster are terming it the worst disaster, and global warming has only made the situation worse by multiplying the impact. Also read: Helicopter fighting South Korea wildfires crashes, Pilot killed The fire spread across the region; the winds and ultra-dry conditions fuelled the situation further. South Korea had also recorded the hottest summer in 2024 as the average rainfall was way below average. The blaze has also burned down the Gounsa temple complex in Uiseong, which is believed to have been built in the seventh century. Whether the situation was triggered by the man clearing the gravesite is yet to be ascertained. The report with on-site findings could take longer than a month.

South Korea: Did a man clearing grandparents' gravesite trigger massive wildfires? Probe underway

Scenes of devastation dominate South Korea's Southeastern regions, in the country's worst wildfire crisis in history.

South Korea battles raging wildfires

A helicopter fighting deadly wildfires in South Korea crashed Wednesday, killing the pilot, the fire department told AFP, as officials race to bring the massive blazes under control.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-wildfires-8891086">VIDEO: South Korea's raging wildfires kill at least 18, destroy 1,300-year-old temple</a>
"A helicopter putting out the wildfire crashed in a mountain area in Uiseong County," an official with the Gyeongbuk Fire Service said. "We have been told that there was one pilot who was declared dead at the scene."
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World| "A helicopter putting out the wildfire crashed in a mountain area in Uiseong County," an official with the Gyeongbuk Fire Service said. "We have been told that there was one pilot who was declared dead at the scene."

A helicopter fighting deadly wildfires in South Korea crashed Wednesday, killing the pilot, the fire department told AFP, as officials race to bring the massive blazes under control. Also Read | VIDEO: South Korea's raging wildfires kill at least 18, destroy 1,300-year-old temple "A helicopter putting out the wildfire crashed in a mountain area in Uiseong County," an official with the Gyeongbuk Fire Service said. "We have been told that there was one pilot who was declared dead at the scene." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Helicopter fighting South Korea wildfires crashes, Pilot killed

Hundreds of South Koreans were forced to flee a wildfire fuelled by strong winds that burned parts of an eastern coastal city, destroying dozens of homes. Eric Njoka brings you the report.