South Korean man tending relatives' grave probed for starting deadly wildfire

South Korea is investigating a 56-year-old man suspected of starting a deadly wildfire that resulted in 30 fatalities. The man, whose name has not yet been released to the public, was reportedly performing ancestral rites at his family's burial site on a mountain in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, when the incident occurred.

The man has been booked for investigation but has not yet been arrested. He will be summoned for questioning after the on-site investigation is completed. He has reportedly denied the allegations. The fire lasted for 10 days and caused widespread damage to buildings, including some historical temples.

Investigators have reportedly spoken with the suspect's daughter. She allegedly stated that her father was attempting to burn branches hanging over the tomb with a lighter when the fire started. The blaze subsequently burned over 48,000 hectares of land, equivalent to approximately 80% of the area of the capital, Seoul.

The fire also destroyed approximately 4,000 buildings, including homes, factories, and some national treasures. Guun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was also destroyed in the fire. The temple, built in 618 AD, was one of the largest temples in the province. Most of the casualties were elderly people in their 60s and 70s. Even though the main fire has been brought under control, smaller fires continue to reignite.

Fueled by strong and dry winds, the fire spread to multiple cities and counties. Abnormally warm weather, dry conditions, and pine forests in the area also exacerbated the blaze. Police, fire departments, and forestry authorities will conduct an investigation next week. South Korea's Acting President Han Duck-soo stated that the government will provide financial support to those displaced by the fire.