The number of victims of forest fires in South Korea has increased to 26 people.

In South Korea, forest fires continue in the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang, the number of victims of which is already 26 people, and 30 people were injured. This was reported on March 27 by the Yonhap news agency.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Security of the Republic of Korea, eight people were seriously injured and 22 people were slightly injured as a result of the disaster.

Among the buildings, 325 objects were damaged, of which 117 were residential buildings. In this regard, 24 thousand residents were initially evacuated, they were placed in the nearest sports halls, schools and other shelters. However, now most of the people have already returned to their homes. 9400 residents of the country remain in evacuation.

"Firefighters using helicopters are trying to contain the largest forest fires in the country's history, which devastated the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang," the media writes.

The Russian Consulate General in Busan urged compatriots to be careful and not to visit disaster areas.

"Severe forest fires are continuing in South Gyeongsang Province, Yeisong County, North Gyeongsang Province, as well as in the Ulsan city area. A state of emergency has been declared in the disaster area, and evacuation is underway. At the moment, information about victims among Russian citizens has not been received," the department's Telegram channel says.

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The day before, it was reported that dozens of firefighting helicopters, about 5,000 personnel and about 560 pieces of equipment had been mobilized to extinguish forest fires in South Korea. According to Yonhap, strong winds and dry weather are hindering the extinguishing of forest fires. It was noted that the fire destroyed 17 thousand hectares of forest. In addition, as a result of the fire, the ancient Kounsa temple complex, built in 681, was destroyed.

Also on March 26, a helicopter crashed while extinguishing a fire in Yisong County in South Korea. It is specified that the helicopter crashed on a mountain about 180 km southeast of Seoul. 26 deaths were also reported, most of whom were elderly people over 60 years old.