South Korea's biggest forest fire in history: investigating a grave-sweeper

Firefighting helicopter in Uiseong county on March 27.

PHOTO: REUTERS

The Uiseong County government (North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea) said on March 28 that it will summon the suspect responsible for the largest forest fire in the country's history for questioning next week on charges of violating the Forest Protection Act.

The suspect, over 50 years old, is suspected of causing the fire at 11:24 a.m. on March 22 (local time) while visiting a family grave on a hillside in this district, according to Yonhap.

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The Uiseong County Government’s Special Judicial Police Force plans to investigate the man on March 31, after completing a preliminary investigation. The suspect’s identity is unknown.

The fire in Uiseong County spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry weather, destroying a large area, authorities said. The fire was completely contained by 5 p.m. on March 28, partly due to rain the night before.

About 5,580 personnel, 86 firefighting helicopters and 569 fire engines were deployed on March 28 to completely control the forest fire in Uiseong and other areas in North Gyeongsang Province.

At least 24 people were killed and 25 injured in this province alone, in addition to thousands of people being evacuated. This is the worst forest fire in South Korea, leaving a total of 28 dead, 37 injured and about 38,000 people evacuated.

The Korea Forest Service said the fire had burned about 48,000 hectares, equivalent to 80% of Seoul.

This figure is nearly 25,000 hectares higher than the 23,794 hectares damaged by wildfires on the east coast in 2000 - the worst wildfire in South Korea's history up to that point.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chay-rung-lon-nhat-lich-su-han-quoc-dieu-tra-mot-nguoi-tao-mo-185250328170238745.htm