Death toll from South Korea wildfires rises to 18, Yonhap says

The death toll from the wildfires raging across South Korea’s southeastern region has climbed to 18, Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday, citing data from the government.

Wildfires spread across South Korea’s southeastern region on Tuesday, forcing residents to flee their homes and razing neighborhoods, with authorities transferring thousands of inmates from prisons.

Acting President Han Duck-soo has vowed to deploy firefighting helicopters and ground personnel to battle the fires, fuelled by strong winds and dry weather.

Some of the casualties occurred when they tried to escape the fire but their vehicle was overturned, Yonhap said.

The blazes that broke out on Saturday are yet to be contained, gutting ancient temples and destroying homes.

The government has designated the affected areas as special disaster zones.