Fire ravages South Korean region, state of disaster declared

Posted On: Apr. 8, 2019 6:19 AM CST

Forest fire watch tower on the ridge of Namhansanseong mountain castle in southeast Seoul, Korea

Forest fire watch tower on the ridge of Namhansanseong mountain castle in southeast Seoul, South Korea/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

South Korea declared a state of national disaster after a giant forest fire scorched 400 homes and 500 hectares of land across the country's northeastern region on April 4, Channel News Asia reported citing sources. The authorities said that the blaze started in the town of Goseong and quickly spread through the cities of Sokcho, Gangneung and Donghae due to strong winds.