Inferno in South Korea: Catastrophic Wildfires Sweep the Nation

South Korea faces devastating wildfires, with the death toll rising to 24. The fires have forced the evacuation of 27,000 people, destroyed neighborhoods, and grounded firefighting helicopters. Authorities are struggling to contain the blazes, which threaten UNESCO sites and are exacerbated by strong winds and dry weather.

A relentless blaze has engulfed South Korea's southeastern region, claiming 24 lives and displacing over 27,000 residents. The fires, described as the worst in decades, have closed schools, razed neighborhoods, and led to the grounding of firefighting helicopters following a crash that killed a pilot.

The devastation has prompted a massive response involving more than 10,000 firefighters, police officers, and military personnel, as well as 87 helicopters. Authorities are fighting to protect UNESCO World Heritage sites from the flames, which have already consumed over 15,000 hectares and are fueled by gusty winds and dry conditions.

Amid warnings of escalating wildfire risks due to climate change, the Korea Forest Service grapples with technical challenges in its aging helicopter fleet. The government has declared the afflicted zones as special disaster areas, highlighting the dire need for more resources and trained manpower to combat the growing threat.

(With inputs from agencies.)