At least 24 people have died as multiple fires continue to destroy the southeastern area of ​​South Korea.

The death toll is constantly increasing with most victims being between 60 and 70, according to authorities, adding that about 26 people were injured – which 12 are in critical condition – as the deadly fires have forced more than 23,000 people to leave their homes.

The fires destroyed the 1,300 -year -old Goulation Temple in the city of Uiseong, where many cultural relics were removed and moved to safer territory.

The fires broke out in the Sancheong County on Friday afternoon and later expanded to Uiseong County, according to authorities.

Fulfilled by strong and dry winds, fires are moving on to neighboring counties Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang and Yeongdeok, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

The flame in Uiseong is spreading on a “unmistakable” scale and speed, Lee Byung-Doo, a forest disasters specialist at the National Institute of Forest Science, told Reuters.

A fire helicopter crashed In the mountains of the Uiseong County shortly after noon on Wednesday, according to authorities investigating the causes.

At the same time, thousands of firefighters and about 5,000 soldiers have been deployed to limit multiple fires, as well as helicopters from the US military in Korea.

Yesterday, Tuesday, the National Fire Department said it raised the crisis at the highest level of fire response, the first time this year that such alarm was issued.

The fires are relatively unusual in South Korea and the relative victims are rare. Today’s fires, which have killed 24 people in recent days, are already the most deadly in the country’s history.

About 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of forest have also been destroyed, making fires on this third largest in South Korea history in terms of extent.