In one of the most serious border incidents since the end of the Korean War, North Korea has fired dozens of artillery shells at Yeonpyeong island near the border with the South. At least two South Korean soldiers have been killed. More soldiers as well as civilians have been wounded. Many of the shells landed on a South Korean military base on the island. Fires are reported to be burning out of control, and efforts are underway to evacuate civilians from the island. South Korea, which had been conducting military exercise in the area, returned fire.