Helicopter crashes in South Korea, five killed

Five people were killed when a helicopter crashed in Yangyang, South Korea on Sunday. The helicopter crashed near a Buddhist temple in Yangyang. Five people aboard died on the spot. Yonhap news agency reported that the victims were being identified. Officials initially reported only two deaths. Five people were later confirmed dead.

Initially, the authorities had confirmed the deaths of the 71-year-old pilot and the 54-year-old mechanic. Officials said an S-58T helicopter leased by the local governments of Yangyang, Sokcho and Goseong crashed into a mountainside at around 10:50 a.m. while surveying the forest fire. The helicopter, made by US helicopter maker Sikorsky, broke into pieces and burst into flames, but the fire is unlikely to have spread as it was mostly extinguished, he said.

A fire official said, "We can see that two passengers died inside the chopper, but it was difficult to reach them. As the fire was being extinguished, there was a possibility of an additional explosion." One helicopter, 28 equipment and 114 personnel, including first responders, have been deployed. Relief and rescue operations are almost complete. Five deaths have been reported so far.