South Korea Wildfire: Pilot Dies In Helicopter Crash While Fighting Blazes

South Korea Wildfire: Pilot Dies In Helicopter Crash While Fighting Blazes

A helicopter involved in battling the deadly wildfires in South Korea crashed on Wednesday, resulting in the death of the pilot, according to the fire department. The crash occurred in a mountainous region of Uiseong County as officials worked urgently to control the widespread fires.

A Gyeongbuk Fire Service official confirmed that the pilot was pronounced dead at the scene. The helicopter had been deployed to help combat the fires, which have claimed at least 18 lives in one of South Korea’s most severe wildfire outbreaks…READ MORE…

The blazes, which have caused “unprecedented damage,” continue to rage across the country, with multiple fires still burning. The acting president reported the scale of the devastation, which includes the destruction of buildings, including at the Gounsa Temple in Uiseong.

As efforts to contain the fires continue, firefighters are using water cannons to extinguish remaining flames, while teams work to protect important sites, such as the UNESCO-listed Bongjeong Temple in Andong.