Twenty -four people have lost their lives in the forest fires raging from the weekend at the worst recorded in the country for decades that have caused unprecedented damage.
“So far the deaths of 24 people have been confirmed by fires and 12 are still seriously injured,” an interior ministry official said, explaining that they were “temporary numbers”.
Earlier today a helicopter involved in extinguishing operations in the southeastern part of South Korea “crashed into a mountainous area of the Uaiong County,” the Gieongbuk Fire Department said.
The helicopter pilot, who was killed in the crash, is included in the report of the dead by the authorities. After this incident, the Korean Forest Service announced that all its fire helicopters was stuck on the ground.
BREAKING: At least 12 people killed in South Korea wildfires
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The forest service fleet, consisting of 48 Russian helicopters, faces technical problems. Eight is out of service last year as the South Korean authorities cannot import spare parts from Russia due to sanctions imposed on Ukraine’s invasion, Yun Zun-Baeong, a Democratic Party MP in October, had explained.
