Kathmandu: At least 18 people have died and 19 others have been injured as wildfires continue to devastate South Korea’s southeast, BBC reports. Authorities have evacuated over 23,000 people, calling it an “unprecedented” disaster.
The fires, which began in Sancheong county on Friday, have spread rapidly due to strong winds, reaching Uiseong and other nearby areas. The 1,300-year-old Gounsa Temple in Uiseong was destroyed, along with a national treasure from the Joseon Dynasty.
A firefighting helicopter crashed on Wednesday, and thousands of firefighters, military personnel, and US helicopters are battling the flames. The national fire agency has raised the crisis to its highest level for the first time this year.
South Korea has experienced unusually dry conditions, with 244 wildfires this year—more than double last year’s figure. The government has pledged to review wildfire response strategies and crack down on illegal burning.
Source: BBC