Tragedy struck in South Korea as a brave helicopter pilot lost his life in a crash while battling raging wildfires. The pilot risked everything to help contain a disaster that has already claimed at least 18 lives.
The country is in the grip of one of its worst wildfire outbreaks. Over a dozen fires erupted over the weekend, scorching wide swathes of the southeast and forcing around 27,000 residents to evacuate urgently. Wind-driven flames cut off power and communications, and even an ancient temple couldn’t escape the devastation.
Acting President Han Duck-soo confirmed that the blazes have charred 17,398 hectares of land—with 87% of the damage concentrated in Uiseong county—and noted that the fires have burned for a fifth consecutive day, outpacing existing prediction models.
In a drastic move, the government raised the crisis alert to its highest level and even transferred thousands of prisoners as part of emergency efforts. The loss of this heroic pilot is a stark reminder of the extreme risks faced by those on the frontlines. 🙏🔥
Amid the chaos, communities in South Korea are uniting in resilience and hope, determined to overcome this unprecedented challenge.
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South Korean helicopter pilot killed in crash while fighting wildfires
cgtn.com
