By Titilope Adako

South Korea: A helicopter pilot lost his life while battling raging wildfires in South Korea on Wednesday, as the inferno forced the evacuation of over 27,000 residents.

The aircraft crashed in a mountainous area of Uiseong County, prompting an immediate response from emergency teams.

A Gyeongbuk Fire Service official confirmed the pilot’s death to AFP, stating, “A helicopter working to extinguish 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.”

Authorities have since grounded all firefighting helicopters as investigations into the crash begin.

The country’s forestry service confirmed the suspension, raising concerns about firefighting efforts as the blazes continue to spread.

The wildfires, driven by strong winds and dry conditions, have already destroyed entire neighbourhoods, shut down schools, and forced authorities to transfer hundreds of inmates from prisons.

Thousands of firefighters and soldiers have been deployed to combat the flames, but containment remains challenging due to the extreme weather conditions.

South Korea has been battling a series of wildfires in recent years, with climate change and deforestation contributing to increased fire risks.

Experts warn that prolonged dry spells and high winds could further exacerbate the crisis, making firefighting efforts more difficult.

As the situation unfolds, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders to prevent further casualties.

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