Authorities in South Korea are fighting what they call one of the country’s “worst-ever” wildfires. More than 20 people have died and a 1,300-year-old Buddhist landmark has been destroyed.

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A historic Buddhist temple, over 1,300 years old, has been destroyed in wildfires raging across South Korea. The Goeunseo Buddhist Temple complex fell victim to what authorities are describing as one of the nation’s worst-ever wildfires. The ceremonial bell is the only remnant of the ancient temple.

The wildfires, fueled by high winds and arid conditions, are sweeping through southern regions of South Korea. To combat the flames, over 10,000 firefighters, police, and civil servants have been mobilized. Officials are working to protect significant cultural sites, including transporting a stone Buddha—an official national treasure—to safety.

The wildfires have claimed more than 20 lives, including a firefighting helicopter pilot who died when his helicopter crashed. The flames continue to threaten other historical sites, including a UNESCO World Heritage Village from the 1300s. Authorities remain on high alert as fire crews work tirelessly to control the situation.



1,300-year-old temple destroyed in deadly South Korea wildfires

A treasured temple, more than 1,300 years old, gone. This ceremonial bell is all that appears to remain from South Korea's Goeunseo Buddhist Temple complex, barely surviving wildfires that authorities say are some of South Korea's worst ever. This stone Buddha, which is one of South Korea's official national treasures spared from the disaster, moved to a safer place ahead of the fires. The blaze, raging through the country's southern regions, broke out over the weekend, fueled by high winds and dry air. Officials say more than 10,000 firefighters, police and civil servants are deployed to the fire zones. Flames now threatening a UNESCO World Heritage Village dating back to the 1300s. More than a dozen people have been killed, including the pilot of a firefighting helicopter whose chopper crashed on Wednesday.

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