Massive 'Smoke Pillar' Rising Over the Korean Peninsula... NASA Releases Photos of Korean Wildfires

Faint Smoke Seen Rising in Sancheong, Gyeongnam

A wildfire that broke out in Andong, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk, has been spreading for six days, and this scene was captured in satellite images by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States.

On the 24th, NASA released satellite images taken from space through the NASA Earth Observatory, stating that "fires have occurred throughout South Korea."

NASA Earth Observatory

This photo was taken on the 22nd using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) equipment installed on NASA's Aqua satellite. Smoke from the large fire is visible.

A huge column of smoke is rising due to the fire that broke out near Andong, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk. Regarding this, NASA explained, "More than 1,000 people have been evacuated due to this fire, and some highways and railways have been closed. An ancient temple was engulfed in flames and destroyed."

The photo also shows another large column of smoke rising in the rural area of Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam. NASA, citing the Associated Press (AP), reported, "As of the evening of the 22nd, the large wildfire in this area caused numerous injuries and fatalities."

On the 21st, NASA Worldview also released a photo of the Korean Peninsula taken by NASA's Terra satellite. This photo captured faint smoke rising from Sancheong, Gyeongnam.

Meanwhile, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for wildfire response announced that as of 4 p.m. on the 26th, the number of casualties was tentatively identified as 50. There were 24 deaths, 12 serious injuries, and 14 minor injuries.

Looking at the scale of damage by region, Uiseong in Gyeongbuk recorded the highest number of casualties with 35 people, including 20 deaths, 7 serious injuries, and 8 minor injuries. In Sancheong, Gyeongnam, there were 13 casualties, including 4 deaths, 5 serious injuries, and 4 minor injuries, and in Onyang, Ulju, there were 2 minor injuries. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated, "Please note that these are tentative estimates as some parts require investigation," and added, "The status of wildfire casualties will be announced twice daily, at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m."