Historic Buddhist landmark reduced to ashes as South Korea battles catastrophic wildfires, claiming 19 lives

• South Korea faced devastating wildfires successful its southeast, claiming astatine slightest 19 lives and destroying the 1,300-year-old Gounsa temple
• Efforts to incorporate the blaze were hindered by beardown winds and adust weather, including a fatal chopper clang involving a firefighting aircraft
• Authorities declared a authorities of emergency, deploying thousands of unit and urging residents to evacuate from affected areas, including the historical Hahoe Folk Village

Seoul, South Korea – South Korea grounded its firefighting helicopters connected Wednesday aft a fatal clang occurred portion battling the ongoing wildfires successful the country’s southeast.

The helicopter, which was moving to incorporate a fast-moving blaze successful Uiseong County, crashed, sidesplitting the pilot—the sole occupant.

19 Dead and Ancient Buddhist Temple Destroyed successful South Korea’s Worst Wildfires successful Recent Years
Source: Getty Images

The wildfires, described arsenic “unprecedented” by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, person already claimed astatine slightest 19 lives, injured 19 others, and destroyed important taste landmarks.

Cultural and biology devastation

Among the losses is the 1,300-year-old Gounsa temple successful Uiseong County, a revered Buddhist landmark.

While its ceremonial doorbell remained somewhat intact, astir of the operation was reduced to ashes. Authorities noted that immoderate relics, including a seated chromatic Buddha designated arsenic a nationalist treasure, were spared arsenic they had been relocated to different temples earlier the occurrence reached the site.

The wildfires, which broke retired implicit the weekend, person already consumed much than 17,398 hectares (nearly 43,000 acres) of land.

Evacuations and authorities of emergency

Officials person evacuated residents from respective affected areas, including the historical Hahoe Folk Village successful Andong, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Firefighters person taken measures to support the accepted homes, known arsenic “hanoks,” by deploying h2o barriers astir the site’s perimeter.

On Saturday, the authorities declared a authorities of exigency successful Ulsan metropolis and South and North Gyeongsang provinces. By Wednesday, 68% of the fires successful Uiseong and Andong were reported arsenic contained, though efforts were hampered by adust upwind and beardown winds.

National effect to grounds wildfire activity

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo described the wildfires arsenic the worst the federation has witnessed successful caller years, with 244 fires reported this year—2.4 times much than the aforesaid play successful 2024. More than 10,000 personnel, including firefighters, police, and civilian servants, person been deployed to combat the blazes.

The Korea Forest Service elevated its wildfire informing to the highest “serious” level connected Tuesday, urging stricter wood entree and much exigency resources.

Authorities issued adust upwind alerts but expressed anticipation that forecasted rainfall connected Thursday could assistance successful extinguishing the fires.

39 confirmed dormant aft wildfires and particulate storms

Legit.ng earlier reported that unusually fierce and destructive upwind struck crossed aggregate U.S. states implicit the weekend, spawning convulsive tornadoes, blinding particulate storms, and fast-moving wildfires that claimed astatine slightest 39 lives.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reported connected Sunday that implicit 400 homes were damaged arsenic wildfires swept done the state, including 74 homes destroyed successful and astir Stillwater.

The section confirmed 4 fatalities linked to the fires and precocious winds.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck retired quality that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” artifact connected the location leafage and enjoy!

Source: Legit.ng