At least 18 people have been killed and 19 injuries, as the South Korea forest fires continue to devastate the south -east of the country, according to the latest numbers of the Ministry of the Interior and Security.
The « unprecedented » crisis is still critical, according to the acting president, have Duck-soo, who said fires « rewriting record books for the worst wildfires in the history of our nation. »
More than 23,000 people have been evacuated and various cultural sites affected, including a 1,300 -year Buddhist temple that was destroyed.
A fire fighting helicopter crashed in the mountains of Uiseong County just after noon on Wednesday, according to authorities, investigating the cause.
Thousands of firefighters and about 5,000 military staff have been deployed to contain multiple fires, as well as helicopters of the North -American military parked in Korea.
On Tuesday, the National Fire Agency said that the crisis had increased at the highest level of fire response, the first time this alert has been issued this year.
Forest fires are relatively rare in South Korea, and related fatalities 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, turning fires into the third largest in the history of South Korea in area terms.
Fens in the city of Uiseong burned the Gounsa temple, built in 618 AD, which was one of the largest temples in the province.
A Buddhist architectural structure was also destroyed, which was considered a national treasure of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), confirmed forest authorities.
The acting president, Han, said that all available staff and equipment have been deployed, but strong winds are still difficult to support.
« We desperately wait for the rain today or tomorrow to help extinguish the flames, » Han added.
« This level of fire damage is different from everything we have experienced before. »
On Wednesday, there was no rainfall for the region and only a small amount (from five to 10 mm) planned on Thursday, according to the Meteorological Administration of Korea.
They said that the Government will thoroughly review all the shortcomings in response to the fire after the crisis has been controlled and will try to improve prevention strategies for the future.
« Once a fire begins, it extinct it requires huge resources and jeopardizes precious lives, » he said.
South Korea has been experiencing drier conditions of normal with less rainfall than average. There have been 244 forest fires this year: 2.4 times more than the same period last year.
The government also promised to strengthen the application against illegal cream – one of the main causes of wildfires – and reduced to individual neglect.
The wildfires first exploded last Friday in Sancheong County, southeast -the country, but have now spread to the neighboring cities of Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang and Yeongdeo.
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