On March 30, Yonhap news agency reported that South Korean authorities had arrested a man suspected of causing the most serious ever forest fire in the southeastern part of the country, killing at least 26 people.
According to initial investigation results, the suspect is a man in his 50s, who was accused of causing a fire at around 11:25 a.m. on March 22 while performing a ancestor worship ceremony at a family tomb on a hill in Uiseong District, North Gyeongsang Province.
Due to dry weather and strong winds, the fire quickly spread to the cities of Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang and Yeongdeok district, causing serious consequences.
Acting President of South Korea Han Duck Soo said on March 26 that this forest fire disaster was more serious than previously predicted and assessed by the model.
About 48,000 hectares of forest, equivalent to 80% of the capital Seoul, were burned. About 4,000 works, including houses, factories and infrastructure, were destroyed.
In particular, the fire burned down the Goun temple in Uiseong, a UNESCO-recognized world heritage site. The national treasures kept at the temple have been promptly moved to a safe place.
Currently, South Korean police plan to conduct a joint investigation with the National Institute of Forestry Sciences, the National Forensic Agency and fire fighting agencies next week. During the investigation, the suspect denied all allegations related to the fire.
In another development, the Korea Forestry Administration said that forest fires in North Gyeongsang province resumed on the night of March 29, despite previously being reported to have been completely extinguished by the afternoon of March 28.
Thanks to the efforts of 1,473 firefighters, along with the support of 50 helicopters and 213 other vehicles, by the morning of March 30, the authorities had controlled about 99% of the newly outbreak fire.
