18 dead in South Korea wildfires, 1300- year-old ancient temple turned to ashes

After causing devastation in California, USA, a raging wildfire in South Korea has led to severe destruction. The fire, which broke out in the southern regions of the country, has claimed the lives of at least 18 people so far, officials reported.

The engulfing flames destroyed Gounsa Temple in Uiseong, an ancient temple built in AD 681 during the Silla Dynasty (57 B C - AD 935). National treasures stored in the temple had been relocated to other locations.

According to officials, among the 18 deceased, four were firefighters and one was a government official. The massive blaze has reduced more than 200 buildings to ashes and forced over 27,000 people to evacuate their homes. The wildfire is now being described as one of the most catastrophic forest fires in South Korea’s history.

South Korea’s Acting President Han Duck-soo addressed the situation, stating that the fire initially ignited last Friday but has since grown significantly more dangerous.

“The damage continues to escalate. We have never witnessed such a massive wildfire before. This week, we must deploy all our resources to contain it,” Han said.

The National Fire Agency said it raised the emergency response level by one notch to the highest, Level 3.

The blazes, fueled by strong and dry winds, burned more than 14,000 acres of woodland across the region since the fires broke out, forcing thousands of people, including all Andong residents, to evacuate their homes.

More than 3,000 firefighters and dozens of helicopters and vehicles were deployed to fight the fires.

Six people, including four firefighters, have been killed in the fire in Sancheong, with a dozen other people sustaining injuries.

Train services and highway traffic in the southeastern region were suspended as of Tuesday afternoon, state railway and highway operators said.

Officials anticipate some relief by Thursday,   hoping that weather conditions will aid in controlling the blaze.

Moreover, South Korean firefighting helicopter with one pilot crashed on Wednesday while battling a large wildfire in the southeastern county of Uiseong, killing the pilot, authorities said. 

The helicopter went down on a mountain in Uiseong, located about 180 kilometres southeast of Seoul, at 12.54 pm, according to the Korea Forest Service.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, authorities said, Korean news agency reported.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)