At least 18 people have died and 19 others are injured as wildfires continue to devastate southeastern South Korea, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
The fires, described as “unprecedented” by acting president Han Duck-soo, have prompted the nation’s highest fire alert level.
According to The BBC, more than 23,000 residents have been evacuated, and the blazes have destroyed several cultural heritage sites, including a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple. Efforts to contain the fires suffered a setback when a firefighting helicopter crashed in Uiseong county on Wednesday, with authorities investigating the cause.
Thousands of firefighters, 5,000 military personnel, and helicopters—including those from the US military—are battling the flames across multiple regions. Despite their efforts, the wildfires have already become the deadliest in South Korea’s history.
Nonetheless, the government remains on high alert as emergency crews work to prevent further destruction and protect vulnerable communities.
