At least 18 people were killed and 19 injured while South Korea forest fires continue to ravage the south-eastern country, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of the Interior and Security.
The “unprecedented” crisis remains critical, according to the acting president, Han Duck-Soo, who said that fires “rewrite the records of the worst forest fires in the history of our nation”.
More than 23,000 people have been evacuated and several cultural sites of affected heritage, including a 1300 -year -old Buddhist temple destroyed.
A fire -fighting helicopter crashed in the mountains of the county of Uiseong just afternoon on Wednesday, according to the authorities, who investigate the cause.
Thousands of firefighters and around 5,000 soldiers were deployed to contain multiple flames, as well as helicopters of the American army stationed in Korea.
On Tuesday, the National Fire Agency said that it had increased the crisis in the highest level of response, the first time this year, such a alert was issued.
Forest fires are relatively rare in South Korea and related deaths are rare. Current fires, which have killed 18 people in recent days, are already the deadliest in the history of the country.
About 17,000 hectares of forest have also been destroyed, making fires the third largest in the history of South Korea in terms of area.
The flames that rage in the city of Uiseong burned the temple of Gounsa, built in 618 AD, which was one of the greatest temples in the province.
A Buddhist architectural structure considered that a national treasure of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) was also destroyed, confirmed the forest authorities.
The acting president Han said that all the staff and the equipment available have been deployed, but that strong winds continue to hinder support efforts.
“We would desperately hoped for the rain today or tomorrow to help turn off the flames,” added Han.
“This level of damage caused by forest fires is different from everything we have known before.”
There was no rain forecast for the region on Wednesday and only a small quantity – five to 10 mm – expected Thursday, according to Meteorological Administration.
Han said the government will fully examine all gaps in the response of forest fires once the crisis is controlled and seeks to improve prevention strategies for the future.
“Once a forest fire begins, extinction requires huge resources and puts precious lives in danger,” he said.
South Korea has experienced dry conditions than normal conditions with less precipitation than average. There have already been 244 forest fires this year – 2.4 times more than the same period last year.
The government has also promised to strengthen the application against the illegal combustion of one of the main causes of forest fires – and to suppress individual negligence.
Forest fires broke out last Friday in the county of Sancheong, in the south-east of the country, but have now spread to the neighboring cities of Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang and Yeongdeok.
