At Least 24 Dead Due to Wildfires in South Korea

At least 24 people have died as a result of forest fires in southeastern South Korea. This was reported by the Yonhap news agency.

According to media reports, approximately five thousand firefighters and nearly 560 units of equipment are involved in battling the fire, including dozens of specialized helicopters.

The agency writes that strong winds and dry weather are complicating efforts to extinguish the wildfires. The latest reports indicate that the fire has destroyed 17,000 hectares of forest and more than 200 houses. The ancient Kunsan temple complex, built in 681, has also been damaged.