The death toll from ongoing wildfires in southeastern South Korea's North Gyeongsang province has reached at least 27 people, while 32 people sustained injuries, the Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday.
Forest fires, which began last week, reportedly destroyed the Gounsa Buddhist temple, which dates back to the 7th century, while Buddhist temples located in the mountains urgently evacuated ancient relics to nearby museums.
Earlier this week, the South Korean authorities blocked a number of highways due to smoke and evacuated 3,500 prisoners from the areas engulfed in wildfires, local media said.