Rescue helicopter crashes as devastating fires rip by South Korea
The helicopter was deployed to try and contain some of South Korea’s most devastating wildfires, that has already destroyed more than 200 structures when it crashed
A helicopter has crashed amid South Korea’s most devastating wildfires which have killed at least 18 people .
The chopper was deployed by authorities to try to contain the blazes , some of the country’s worst ever wildfires. However, the Korea Forest Service confirmed the helicopter lost control and has crashed in Uiseong at around 2pm local time (5am UK time).
More than 200 structures – including an ancient Buddhist temple, houses, factories and vehicles – have been destroyed as a result of the wildfires, and some 27,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, authorities have said. In a televised address, South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo said the wildfires that began last Friday were causing worse damage than many other past wildfires.
Mr Duck-soo said: “Damages are snowballing. There are concerns that we’ll have wildfire damages that we’ve never experienced, so we have to concentrate all our capabilities to put out the wildfires in the rest of this week.”
It is unclear how many people were travelling in the helicopter today.
At least 18 people have died and 20 injured as South Korea battled some of the most destructive wildfires in its history.
The flames, which began on Friday, tore through southeastern regions, amplified by dry weather and strong winds this week as Japan also struggled with new wildfires.
Fires have burned through more than 17,400 hectares (43,000 acres), destroying hundreds of structures, including a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple. Over 27,000 people have been evacuated from cities and towns including Andong, Uiseong, Sancheong and Ulsan.
Earlier, four people were confirmed dead, but authorities on Wednesday said the death toll now stands at 18.
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