As of 3:00 AM on March 26, at least 13 deaths have been confirmed due to the wildfires that began in the Yeongnam region on the 21st.
The confirmed deaths include two in Andong, three in Cheongsong, four in Yeongyang, and four in Sancheong, Gyeongnam. One person is also reported missing. Fire officials have stated that the number of fatalities is expected to increase as more people who failed to evacuate are found.
According to the Andong Police Station on March 26 KST, around 12:09 AM, a woman in her 50s, identified as ‘A,’ was found dead in the yard of a house in Parkok-ri, Imdong-myeon, Andong. Her husband, also injured with burns, was transported to Andong Hospital. Police suspect that the couple was trying to escape the wildfire when the tragedy occurred and are investigating the exact cause of death.
Earlier, at around 6:54 PM the previous day, a woman in her 70s, identified as ‘B,’ was found dead in the yard of a house in Sinduk-ri, Imha-myeon, Andong. Police believe she died from suffocation caused by inhaling smoke from the wildfire.
In Cheongsong, Gyeongbuk, three people died, and one person remains missing. On the afternoon of March 25, an elderly woman in her 80s was found dead after failing to escape the fire in Pacheon-myeon. A man in his 70s was also found dead in Sinryang-ri, Jinbo-myeon, with the village head discovering the body while attempting to help evacuate.
Later that evening, at around 7:00 PM, a woman, identified as ‘C‘ (65), was found dead from burns on a street in Cheongsong-eup, Cheongsong-gun. Her vehicle was found nearby. Police are investigating the cause of death, suspecting that C was attempting to evacuate following the wildfire evacuation orders when the accident occurred.
In Jinbo-myeon, Gyeongbuk, an elderly woman in her 80s, who suffered from dementia, was reported missing after failing to join other residents during the evacuation.
In Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk, four deaths related to the wildfire have been confirmed. Around 11:11 PM on the 25th, three charred bodies were found in Posan-ri, Seokbo-myeon. One more charred body was found in Hwamae-ri, Seokbo-myeon. The police are currently working to identify the four individuals.
On the 22nd, in Sancheong, Gyeongnam, four firefighters became trapped by the wildfire and lost their lives.
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