South Korea wildfires outbreak leaves 18 dead, destroys major historical temple

According to reports, the fire began in Sancheong County in South Gyeongsang Province last Friday.

It has now spread to the nearby Uiseong region in the country.

Fuelled by strong and dry winds, the blaze is slowly moving towards the Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang and Yeongdeok regions.

Of the victims, two were found in Andong, three were in Cheongsong, six were in Yeongyang, and seven were in Yeongdeok, officials told Yonhap news agency.

One person remains missing in Cheongsong.

Acting President Calls For All Out Action

Acting President Han Duck-soo called for all-out efforts to help prevent the further spread of deadly wildfires, describing them as 'the worst ever wildfires,' reported Yonhap.

So far, the wildfires have destroyed 17,000 hectares of forest and 209 houses and factories, Han said.

Heritage Site Destroyed

The fire destroyed the historical Gounsa Temple in Uiseong.

Considered one of the largest temples in the region, Gounsa was built in 618 AD.

According to reports, the national treasure located in the temple has been shifted to another location.

Thousands of firefighters and dozens of helicopters are currently in operation to bring the blaze under control.

South Korea has been experiencing drier-than-normal conditions with less rainfall than average. There have already been 244 wildfires this year - 2.4 times more than the same period last year, reported BBC.

Jail Inmates Shifted

According to reports, the country's justice department was quoted by Yonhap as saying that around 500 inmates at a prison in North Gyeongsang Province were transferred to another facility overnight to escape the flames.

The Ministry initially thought of transferring 3500 inmates from multiple prisons in the region but later reduced the numbers since a large portion of the fire was put out.