Pilot killed as firefighting helicopter crashes in South Korea

UISEONG - A firefighting helicopter with one pilot crashed Wednesday while battling a large wildfire in the southeastern county of Uiseong, killing the pilot, South Korean authorities said.

According to Yonhap News Agency the helicopter went down on a mountain in Uiseong, located about 180 kilometers southeast of Seoul, at 12:54 pm, according to the Korea Forest Service.

Embers remain among the debris after most of the buildings were burned to the ground in a wildfire at Gounsa Temple in Uiseong on March 26, 2025. (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP)

The 73-year-old pilot was declared dead at the scene.

Built in 1995, the S-76 helicopter is capable of carrying 1,200 litres of water and had been in service for about 30 years.

The Korea Forest Service said it has grounded all firefighting helicopters after the crash.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, authorities said. - BERNAMA-YONHAP