Rescue helicopter crashes, pilot dies while putting out wildfire (Pictures)
An emergency rescue helicopter fighting deadly wildfires in South Korea crashed Wednesday, killing the pilot, the fire department told AFP.
Officials have intensified efforts to bring the massive blazes under control.
Firefighters were seen controlling water cannons on a fire engine to extinguish the remaining flames after many buildings were burned to the ground.
The crash happened in a wildfire at Gounsa Temple in Uiseong.
“A helicopter putting out the wildfire crashed in a mountain area in Uiseong County.
“We have been told that there was one pilot who was declared dead at the scene,” a Gyeongbuk Fire Service official said.
In some locations, rescue operatives were seen securing packed Buddha statues onto the trailer’s cargo bed, along with other items, to move them to safety as the wildfire may reach Bongjeong Temple, listed as a Korean Mountain Area Temple by UNESCO, in Andong.
“At least 18 people have been killed in one of South Korea’s worst wildfire outbreaks, with multiple raging blazes causing “unprecedented damage”, the acting president said Wednesday.
AFP
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