Firefighters are fighting at least 4 active wildfires across South Korea while 19 people are reported dead
GUWAHATI, March 26: Unprecedented wildfires raging across South Korea have left at least 19 people dead while 20 more have reportedly been injured with thousand of firefighters are battling to control the blaze which is said to be spreading at a rapid pace.
The death toll rose to 19 as the blaze also razed an ancient temple on Wednesday while firefighters were fighting at least five active wildfires, media reports further stated.
More than 23,000 people have been evacuated and several heritage cultural sites affected, including a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple that was destroyed, the BBC reported.
Reports further stated eighteen people were killed in the wildfires while a pilot flying a firefighting helicopter died after his chopper crashed in a mountain area in Uiseong.
The wildfires began late on Friday in Sancheong county in Northern Gyeongsang province before spreading to neighbouring Uiseong county – located about 180km (111 miles) southeast of the capital Seoul – and have advanced into Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok counties.
(With inputs from agencies)
