At least 18 people were killed and 19 were injured as wild fires in South Korea continue to devastate the southeastern part of the country, according to the latest ministry of the Interior and safety.
The “unprecedented” crisis remains critical, according to the position of President Han Duck-su, who said the fires “rewrite books for records for the worst fires in our nation's history.”
More than 23,000 people have been evacuated and several cultural inheritance sites have been affected, including 1300-year-old Buddhist temple, which has been destroyed.
A fire helicopter crashes in the mountains of Useng County shortly after noon on Wednesday, according to authorities investigating the cause.
Thousands of firefighters and about 5,000 military officials are located to contain multiple flames, as well as helicopters from the US military located in Korea.
On Tuesday, the National Fire Agency said it has increased the crisis to the highest level of fire response, with a signal being issued the first time this year.
Wild fires are relatively rare in South Korea, and related deaths are rare. The current fires, which have killed 18 people in the last few days, are already the most dead in the country's history.
About 17,000 hectares of forest have also been destroyed, making fires in the third largest in South Korea history in terms of the area.
The outbursts raging in the city of Useng burned the Guns Temple, built in 618 AD, which was one of the largest temples in the province.
Buddhist architectural structure, considered a national treasure by the Hoseon Dynasty (1392-1910), has also been destroyed, the forest authorities confirmed.
The position of President Khan said that all available staff and equipment were located, but strong winds continue to make it difficult for support efforts.
“We were desperate for the rain today or tomorrow to help extinguish the flames,” Han added.
“This level of fire damage is unlike anything we have experienced before.”
There was no rain forecast for the region on Wednesday and only a small amount – five to 10 mm – expected on Thursday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.
Han said the government will examine in detail all the shortcomings in the wild fire reaction after the crisis is controlled and seeks to improve the prevention strategies for the future.
“After a fire begins, its extinguishing requires huge resources and puts precious lives in danger,” he said.
South Korea experiences more than normal conditions with less rainfall than average. This year they already had 244 wild fires – 2.4 times more than the same period last year.
The government also promised to strengthen the application against illegal burning – one of the main causes of wild fires – and to break down into individual negligence.
Wild fires first broke out last Friday in Sancheng County, to the southeastern part of the country, but now they have spread to neighboring cities Useng, Andong, Cheongsong, Yongon and Yontak.