Like the apocalypse South Korea wildfires tear through mountains

ANDONG, South Korea – Truck driver Lee Seung-joo was driving through South Korea’s Andong mountains when the wildfires hit, engulfing the area in flames and turning it into “a literal hell”.

“It was like the apocalypse,” the 39-year-old said, as he recalled seeing the fire tear through the area which, even before the inferno struck, had been suffering from a particularly dry spell.

“The mountains burning looked like literal hell,” he added.

Tens of thousands of people in the south-east had to evacuate from the wildfires, which have been burning continuously since March 21, fanned by high winds and fuelled by the super-dry conditions.

Sections of National Route 7, the main east coast highway, descended into chaos as the fires caught up with evacuees stuck in traffic jams, struggling to escape.

“Fireballs rained down like rain between the jammed vehicles, setting cars on fire,” one eyewitness told local media.

“Drivers barely escaped from the burning cars. It was utter chaos.”

Apple farmer Cho Jae-oak, 75, who fled from his property, said he also saw fireballs flying down from the mountain.

He and his wife sprayed water to try and save their farm but were eventually forced to flee.

At least 24 people have been killed so far, some of whom died during the evacuation process, the Korea Forest Service said.

The country’s acting president, Mr Han Duck-soo, said the multiple fires have caused “unprecedented damage” and warned it could still get worse.

The strong winds – plus a crash, killing a pilot – have forced the authorities to suspend helicopter and drone operations to battle the blazes, which are straining conventional fire-fighting capacity, officials said.