A fire sparked during railway construction along the North Korea-China border has reportedly scorched approximately 40,000 square meters (about 430,055 square feet) of vegetation in North Korea. The affected area is comparable in size to Gwanghwamun Square, which spans about 43,000 square meters (about 462,848 square feet).
Satellite experts reported on Wednesday that a fire near the railway bridge connecting Tumen City in China’s Jilin Province with Namyang-eup in North Korea’s North Hamgyong Province burned roughly 40,000 square meters (about 430,055 square feet) of vegetation on the North Korean side on March 22.
This railway bridge is a small structure situated about 600 meters (about 1,968 feet) from the Tumen Bridge. It’s primarily used for freight trains transporting coal, minerals, and manufactured goods, rather than passenger services.
The incident was also documented on social media platforms. Photos from the scene depict vegetation near the railway engulfed in flames. The fire didn’t spread to residential areas, suggesting that the damage was largely confined to the surrounding vegetation.
The social media post’s author claimed that sparks from equipment during bridge maintenance work ignited the fire. However, this assertion has not been officially confirmed.
Satellite imagery analysts examined the area and found no evidence of additional structural changes, such as the demolition of the railway bridge. They suggest that this fire was likely the result of an isolated incident.
Reports indicate that three major bridges connect North Korea and China across the Yalu and Tumen Rivers: the North Korea-China Friendship Bridge linking Dandong, China to Sinuiju, North Korea; the New Yalu River Bridge, which is yet to open; and the Tumen Bridge, connecting Tumen, China to Namyang, North Korea.