The death toll from forest fires in South Korea has increased to 18

The death toll from forest fires in South Korea has increased to 18, 19 people were injured, and one was missing. This was reported on March 26 by the Yonhap news agency, citing rescue services.

"According to the Central Disaster Management Headquarters <...>, a total of 18 people died in forest fires. By region: 14 in North Gyeongsang Province and four in South Gyeongsang," the publication says.

According to the newspaper, the area of forest fires exceeded 17 thousand hectares. In total, 209 houses, factories, temples and cultural properties were damaged. More than 27,000 people were evacuated. Most of the dead were elderly people over the age of 60, the agency said.

In a video posted by the Reuters news agency, a long streak of flame can be seen spreading through a forest in South Korea.

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On March 23, the Yonhap news agency reported four dead and six injured as a result of forest fires in South Korea. Then the fire destroyed 3.2 hectares of land, about 1.5 thousand people were evacuated.