A South Korean helicopter pilot lost their life on Wednesday while battling raging wildfires that have claimed 18 lives and displaced nearly 27,000 people, as officials declared the blazes 'unprecedented' in severity. Acting President Han Duck-soo elevated the national crisis alert to its highest level after multiple fires ignited over the weekend, destroying 17,398 hectares of land and cutting off critical infrastructure.
The pilot, part of emergency firefighting efforts in Uiseong county, perished when their aircraft crashed amid volatile wind conditions. The area accounts for 87% of the total burned land, with flames consuming homes and historic sites. Authorities conducted rare prison evacuations as firewalls breached roads and communication lines, leaving residents stranded overnight.
'The situation is exceeding all existing prediction models,' Han stated during an emergency meeting, noting that chaotic evacuations continued as power outages paralyzed evacuation routes. The Ministry of the Interior reported at least 18 casualties, including victims trapped in neighborhood infernos and a destroyed ancient temple.
Meteorologists attribute the rapid spread to strong seasonal winds, while analysts warn of long-term economic impacts on agriculture and infrastructure in the southeast. With containment efforts entering a fifth day, international disaster response teams are being consulted.
