Deadly wildfires in South Korea claim at least 19 lives and cause unprecedented damage, thousands evacuated

Wildfires have caused unprecedented damage in South Korea, resulting in at least 19 deaths. Multiple fires have broken out across the country's south-eastern region, forcing over 27,000 residents to evacuate their homes. The blazes have spread rapidly due to dry and windy conditions, leading to power outages and the destruction of heritage cultural sites, including an ancient 1,000-year-old temple. A helicopter crashed during firefighting efforts, killing the pilot and one other person. The acting president has described the situation as unprecedented, with the National Fire Agency working to contain the fires.