The area has been among the hardest hit by the fires. The 1,300-year-old Gounsa temple, which is located in Uiseong city, was destroyed by the blaze. However, as we reported earlier, forecasters fear the amount of rain expected will not be enough to stop the fires spreading.

At least 27 people were confirmed dead, including a pilot of a firefighting helicopter which crashed yesterday. Hundreds of structures have been burnt or damaged, including historic 7th-century Buddhist temple that was reduced to ashes as the fire continued to expand.

Wildfires in South Korea have resulted in deaths, turned an ancient Buddhist temple into ashes and forced the evacuation of residents of a UNESCO World Heritage site.