South Korea’s Largest Ever Wildfires Kill Dozens, Ancient Temples

Firefighters are racing to save people and ancient artefacts from the largest wildfires in South Korea’s history, which have killed at least 26 people so far

Tens of thousands have also been displaced in the blazes, which started in the south-east on 21 March

Most of those killed were in their 60s and 70s, local officials say

Eyewitnesses described apocalyptic scenes as fires engulfed their homes, with one man telling the BBC the damage in his city has been “devastating”

Authorities believe human activities started multiple fires, but strong winds and dry land allowed them to spread quickly

The winds also make it dangerous for helicopters to operate – one crashed while fighting the fires on Tuesday

The fires have gutted a 1,300-year-old temple in Uiseong city and are threatening other cultural sites.

BBC