South Korea wildfires become worst on record as death toll reaches 26
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South Korea authorities are battling the country's worst-ever wildfires that have left 26 dead and destroyed over 300 structures, including ancient Buddhist temples.
Among the dead is a pilot whose helicopter crashed in Uiseong whilst trying to control the flames.
On Thursday, helicopters dumped water over the wildfires that have been raging across South Korea's southeastern regions since last Friday.
The government has mobilised thousands of emergency responders and dozens of helicopters to tackle the blazes, but officials say their efforts are hampered by strong winds fanning the flares.
Korea Forest Service chief Lim Sang-seop said 'a small amount' — less than 5 millimetres — of rain was expected in the area on Thursday, but added it would likely not be enough to combat the infernos.
The wildfires have so far burned through 88,980 acres of land in the country's southeast, with observers saying the figure is the worst of its kind in South Korea.
The blazes have also injured 30 people — eight seriously — destroyed 325 buildings and forced 37,180 people to evacuate.
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Dozens dead and thousands evacuated in 'unprecedented' South Korea wildfires
A temple built in the 7th century was among the buildings destroyed in Uiseong, with around 20 of the 30 structures at the Gounsa temple complex collapsing due to the fires.
Among them were two state-designated 'treasures' — a pavilion-shaped building erected overlooking a stream in 1668, and a Joseon dynasty structure built in 1904 to mark the longevity of a king.
On Wednesday night, strong winds and smoke-filled skies forced authorities in the southeastern city of Andong to order evacuations in two villages, including Puncheon, home to the Hahoe folk village — a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded around the 14th-15th century.
'Damages are snowballing,' acting President Han Duck-soo warned in a televised address on Wednesday. 'There are concerns that we'll have wildfire damages that we've never experienced, so we have to concentrate all our capabilities on putting out the wildfires this week.'
Authorities suspect human error caused several of the wildfires, including cases where people started fires while clearing overgrown grass from family tombs or with sparks during welding work.
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