A firefighting helicopter battling devastating wildfires in South Korea crashed on Wednesday, resulting in the pilot’s death, the fire department confirmed to AFP.
Authorities continue their efforts to contain the widespread blazes.
Amid the aftermath, a firefighter is seen operating a water cannon from a fire engine to douse lingering flames at Gounsa Temple in Uiseong, where most structures have been reduced to ashes by the wildfire on March 26, 2025.
“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 reported.
Meanwhile, in Andong, concerns grew over the advancing fire as workers secured packed Buddha statues and other valuable items onto a trailer to transport them to safety.
The wildfire threatened Bongjeong Temple, a UNESCO-listed Korean Mountain Area Temple, on March 26, 2025.
With at least 18 fatalities reported, South Korea faces one of its most severe wildfire disasters.
The acting president described the situation on Wednesday as causing “unprecedented damage.”
