South Korea’s centuries-old Gounsa temple left in ruins by wildfires

The aftermath of wildfires at Gounsa Temple (Kim Do-hoon/Yonhap via AP)

Unprecedented wildfires ripping through South Korea’s southern regions have destroyed large parts of an ancient Buddhist temple complex, burning down two buildings that had been designated national treasures.

Five days of wildfires, among South Korea’s worst, have left 24 people dead, destroyed more than 300 structures and forced over 28,000 residents to evacuate, officials said on Wednesday.