At least 18 people have died and 19 have been injured as wildfires continue to ravage the southeast of South Korea, according to figures published in international media, citing the country's Ministry of Interior and Security.
More than 23,000 people have been evacuated and several cultural heritage sites have been destroyed, including a 1,300-year-old ancient Buddhist temple.
About 17,000 hectares of forest have been destroyed, making the fires the third largest in South Korean history in terms of area.
According to acting president Han Duck-soo, the fires are "rewriting the record books for the worst fires in the nation's history."
A firefighting helicopter crashed in the mountains of Uiseong County, according to authorities, who are investigating the cause.
Thousands of firefighters and about 5,000 military personnel have been deployed to control the numerous blazes, as well as helicopters from the US military stationed in Korea.
On Tuesday, the national fire agency said it had raised the crisis to the highest fire response level, the first time such an alert has been issued this year.
Wildfires are relatively rare in South Korea, and related deaths are rare. The current fires, which have killed 18 people in recent days, are the deadliest in the country's history.
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