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At least 18 people were killed and 19 were injured when South Korea’s fires continue to destroy the southeast of the country, according to the latest issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Security.
The “unprecedented” crisis remains critically important, according to the acting President Khan Dak-Sa, who said the fires “copy record books for the worst fires in the history of our country.”
More than 23,000 people were evacuated and touched on several cultural heritage monuments, including a 1300-year-old Buddhist temple that was destroyed.
According to the authorities, the fire helicopter crashed in the Uyssen District Mountains immediately after noon on Wednesday, which investigates the case.
Thousands of firefighters and about 5,000 troops were located to keep several wands, as well as helicopters from the US troops located in Korea.
On Tuesday, the National Fire Agency said it raised the crisis to the highest level of the fire, and for the first time this year such a warning was issued.
In South Korea, fires are relatively uncommon, and fatal cases are rare. The current fires, which have killed 18 people in the last few days, are already the most deadly in the country’s history.
About 17,000 hectares of forest were also destroyed, which made fires the third largest in South Korea’s history.
Black, which raged in the city of Uyssen, burned the Huns Temple, built in 618 AD, which was one of the largest temples in the province.
The Buddhian architectural structure, which was considered the national treasure of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), was also destroyed, the forestry authorities confirmed.
Acting President Khan said all the available staff and equipment were deployed, but strong wind continues to hinder support efforts.
“We desperately hoped for the rain today or tomorrow to help extinguish the flames,” Khan added.
“This level of damage to forest fires, unlike everything we’ve experienced earlier.”
There was no rain forecast in the region on Wednesday and only a small amount – from five to 10 mm – is expected on Thursday, Korea reports the meteorological administration.
Khan said the government would carefully review all the shortcomings in the fire reaction as soon as the crisis is controlled and seeks to improve the prevention strategies for the future.
“Once the forest fire begins, its extinguishing requires huge resources and put a valuable life at risk,” he said.
South Korea feels drier than in normal conditions with less precipitation than average. This year there were 244 fires – 2.4 times more than in the same period last year.
The government also promised to strengthen forced execution from illegal burning – one of the main causes of fires – and hack individual carelessness.
Fires first broke out last Friday in the Sancheni district, in the southeast of the country, but now transferred to neighboring cities of Uyssen, Andung, Chongsong, Eongan and Yongdack.
