The death toll from the raging wildfires in South Korea’s southeastern region has risen to 24, with thousands displaced and a firefighting helicopter crash claiming the life of its pilot. The fires, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, have destroyed entire neighborhoods, forced school closures, and led to the evacuation of over 27,000 residents.
Acting President Han Duck-soo described the crisis as the worst wildfire disaster in the country’s history, with South Korea deploying all available resources, including assistance from the U.S. military. Officials confirmed that the wildfires in Uiseong County alone have claimed at least 14 lives, while others have perished in separate blazes in Sancheong County.
A major setback in the firefighting effort occurred when a helicopter crashed while battling flames in Uiseong, temporarily grounding part of the country’s aerial fleet. South Korea, heavily reliant on helicopters due to its mountainous terrain, has faced equipment shortages exacerbated by sanctions preventing the import of Russian helicopter parts. The Korea Forest Service has since deployed 87 helicopters and nearly 5,000 personnel to combat the fires.
Among the devastation, cultural heritage sites are at risk. The flames have already destroyed Goun Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple dating back to 681 AD, and continue to threaten UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Hahoe Village and Byeongsan Confucian Academy.
The government has declared the affected regions as special disaster zones, with more than 15,000 hectares of land already scorched. Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires worldwide, with unusual fire outbreaks in Los Angeles and Japan serving as recent examples.
Source: Swifteradio.com
