A large-scale fire has broken out in the Numrug Nature Reserve in eastern Mongolia, with the burned area exceeding roughly twice the size of Tokyo. The vehicle believed to have caused the fire belonged to a local KDDI group company, prompting widespread criticism from local residents and others involved.
A large-scale fire has broken out in the Numrug Nature Reserve in eastern Mongolia, and about 80% of the protected area is believed to have burned. The damage has expanded to cover more than twice the area of Tokyo.
The vehicle believed to have caused the fire was carrying employees of Mobicom, KDDI’s local group company. It has been suggested that grass caught fire after becoming entangled in the vehicle’s muffler while it was being driven across dry grassland, and that the fire then spread to the surrounding area.
KDDI apologized and said that there had been no violation of laws and that the visit was for legitimate business purposes. Meanwhile, criticism and anger are spreading locally over the loss of valuable natural resources and the slow response on the ground.
People involved in local program production have questioned Japan’s response and whether it was appropriate to enter the area, while some are calling for Japan’s responsibility to be addressed ahead of next year’s 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.