At least three firefighters and one municipal employee have died in a severe forest fire in South Korea. The government in Seoul has declared a state of emergency in the southeastern part of the country due to the extent of the fire.
The rescue efforts to stop the fire, which broke out in the municipality of Sancheong as early as Friday, are extensive. Over 300 people are part of the rescue team, where 20 helicopters are being used to extinguish the fires.
Around 200 residents in 15 villages have been asked to evacuate due to the fire risk.
On Saturday, an alarm was raised about 15 fires according to the country's forestry authority – which led to the declaration of a state of emergency.
