Wind-driven forest fires, the most destructive in South Korea’s history, have devastated parts of the country’s south, killing 18 people, destroying more than 200 buildings and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate, local officials said.
The fires have burned over 17,000 hectares of forest and destroyed homes and factories.
Officials also said a helicopter crashed in the southeastern city of Wisong, where forest firefighting efforts were underway and one of the worst-hit areas. The Korea Forest Service said rescue efforts were ongoing, and the plane was believed to have been flown by a single pilot without a crew.
