Pilot presumed dead after firefighting helicopter crashes in Daegu

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Published: 06 Apr. 2025, 16:38 Updated: 06 Apr. 2025, 16:40

A helicopter disperses fire retardants on a mountain ridge in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang, on March 25. Photo is unrelated to the article. [YONHAP]

A helicopter crashed on Sunday while fighting a wildfire on a mountain in Daegu earlier the same day, with the pilot presumed dead, according to local fire authorities.

The wildfire broke out at 3:12 p.m. in Buk District, upon which the local forestry service dispatched five helicopters.

Buk District Office sent a safety alert to residents around 3:30 p.m., advising them to avoid entering nearby mountains and urging caution for both residents and hikers.

Forestry authorities believe the fire started in a field before spreading to a nearby hillside and are currently assessing the extent of the damage.

This comes just weeks after a major wildfire broke out in Unhwa-ri, Onyang-eup on March 22, burning 931 hectares (3.59 square miles) of forest before being fully extinguished five days later.

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [[email protected]]