At least 18 people were killed and 19 injured while South Korea’s fires were still blowing southeast of the country, according to the latest numbers of the Ministry of the interior and security.
The “unprecedented” crisis remains critical, according to the acting president Han Duck-Soo, who said the fires were “transcribing books for the worst fires in the history of our country.”
More than 23,000 people have been evacuated and several cultural sites have been affected, including a Buddhist temple of 1,300 years that has been destroyed.
The fire helicopter crashed in the Uiseong County Mountains just after noon on Wednesday, according to the authorities, exploring the cause.
Thousands of firefighters and about 5,000 military staff are arranged to contain more flames, as well as helicopters from the US army stationed in Korea.
On Tuesday, the National Fire Agency announced that the crisis had raised the highest level of fire response, for the first time this year such a warning was published.
The fires are relatively unusual in South Korea, and related death cases are rare. Current fires, who have killed 18 people in the last few days, are already the most deadly in the history of the country.
About 17,000 hectares of forests were also destroyed, which made the fire the third largest in South Korea’s history in terms of areas.
Blazes raging in the city of Uiseong burned the Gouns Temple, built in 618 AD, which was one of the largest temples in the province.
The Buddhist architectural structure considered a national treasure from the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) was also destroyed, forestry authorities confirmed.
President Han’s duties said that all available staff and equipment were deployed, but strong winds continue to interfere with the efforts to support.
“We were desperately hoping for the rain today or tomorrow to help extinguish the flames,” Han added.
“This level of fire damage is not unlike everything we have experienced before.”
On Wednesday there was no forecast for rain on Wednesday, and on Thursday only a small amount is expected – five to 10 mm, according to the Korean Meteorological Administration.
Han said that the Government would thoroughly inspect any defects in response to wild fire after the crisis is controlled and tries to improve prevention strategies for the future.
“Once the fire begins, it is shut down, it requires huge resources and brings valuable lives in danger,” he said.
South Korea experiences more dry than normal conditions with less rain than average. There were already 244 fires this year – 2.4 times more than the same period last year.
The government also promised to strengthen the implementation against illegal ignitions – one of the main causes of fire – and break the individual carelessness.
Wild fires broke out for the first time last Friday in Sancheong County, in the southeast of the country, but now they have expanded to the neighboring cities of Uiseond, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang and Yeongdeoka.
