In a helicopter crash in South Korea, at least 18 people were killed and 19 injured.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 18 people have been killed and 19 injured as South Korea’s wildfires continue to rage across the country’s southeast.
According to Acting President Han Duck-soo, the “unprecedented” crisis remains alive, and the fires are “rewriting the record books for the worst wildfires in our nation’s history.” “Numerous heritage cultural sites, including a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple, have been impacted, and over 23,000 people have been evacuated”.
Authorities are investigating the cause of a firefighting helicopter crash in the Uiseong County mountains shortly after noon on Wednesday. In addition to US military helicopters based in Korea, thousands of firefighters and approximately 5,000 military personnel have been deployed to put out several fires.
For the first time this year, the National Fire Agency announced on Tuesday that it had elevated the situation to the highest level of fire response. In South Korea, wildfires and the deaths they cause are comparatively rare. With 18 fatalities in the past few days, the current fires are already the deadliest in the history of the nation.
The fires are the third-largest in South Korea’s history in terms of area, having destroyed approximately 17,000 hectares of forest. The fires raging in the city of Uiseong destroyed the Gounsa Temple, one of the most famous temples in the province. It was constructed in 618 AD.
South Korea, four killed as wildfires ravage southeastern region.
According to forestry officials, a Buddhist building from the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), considered a national treasure, was also demolished. Strong winds continue to impede support efforts despite the deployment of all available personnel and equipment, according to Acting President Han.
“To help put out the fire, we were fervently hoping for rain today or tomorrow,” Han continued.
We have never seen wildfire damage of this extent before.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, no rain was forecast for the area on Wednesday, and only a slight amount—five to ten millimeters—was anticipated on Thursday. After the situation is under control, Han stated, the government will carefully examine all the flaws in the wildfire response and work to enhance future preventive measures.
He stated that “once a wildfire starts, extinguishing it requires tremendous resources and puts precious lives in danger.”
Compared to the same period last year, South Korea has seen less rainfall and drier weather than usual. This year, there have already been 244 wildfires, a 2.4-fold increase. The government also promised to strengthen enforcement against illegal burning, one of the primary causes of wildfires, and to take firm action against individual negligence.
The neighboring cities of Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok have now been affected by the wildfires, which began last Friday in Sancheong County in the southeast of the nation.
