"Regrettable and heartbreaking" South Korea's wildfire razes ancient Buddhist temples

Record ID: 1985567

  • Title: "Regrettable and heartbreaking" South Korea's wildfire razes ancient Buddhist temples
  • Date: 25th March 2025
  • Summary: UISEONG COUNTY, SOUTH KOREA (MARCH 25, 2025) (REUTERS) RUBBLE OF BURNT TEMPLE ON GROUND SMOKE RISING FROM ASH FRAME OF BURNT TEMPLE VARIOUS OF RUBBLE AND FRAME OF BURNT TEMPLE (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 55-YEAR-OLD BUDDHIST FOLLOWER AT UNRAMSA, JEUNG MEUNG-SUK, SAYING: "Our Buddhist follower (of Unramsa) are very proud of our temple. Because this is such an old temple, it is so
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: South Korea Uiseong disaster fire forest temple wildfire
  • Location: UISEONG COUNTY, SOUTH KOREA
  • City: UISEONG COUNTY, SOUTH KOREA
  • Country: South Korea
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Disaster/Accidents,Wildfires/Forest Fires
  • Reuters ID: LVA001145325032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Wildfires in South Korea had tore through some historic 1000-year-old Buddhist temples, leaving rubble, smoldering frames and devastated followers behind.
    "Because this is such an old temple, it is so regrettable and heartbreaking that it has been burned down," Jeung Meung-suk, a 55-year-old Buddhist follower at Unramsa told Reuters on Tuesday (March 25) while standing amongst charred debris.
    The buildings of the ancient Unramsa were razed by the wildfire on Saturday (March 22). It is a subordinate temple of Gounsa, which is said to be built during the Unified Silla Dynasty more than 1,000 years ago.
    Helicopters sprayed fire retardant near the temple Gounsa on Tuesday morning, while officials covered a Buddha statue with flame-resistant fabric to protect them from the fire at a nearby mountain.
    "This temple is an important and historic temple where many masters and believers practise their hearts and receive comfort as it descends through over 1,300 years. It is a place of comfort for many people, but I am very afraid that it may disappear," head of Gounsa, Deungwoon said.
    After Reuters filmed the authorities trying to protect the temple, Jeung confirmed that the temple Gounsa was also burnt down on Tuesday.
    The wildfires had spread in South Korea's southeast region on Tuesday, threatening a world heritage site and forcing thousands more residents to evacuate their homes.
    The city of Andong, home to Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site, issued an alert to its residents to evacuate to safe areas, according to a city official and a public text alert.
    The official said the blaze was currently about 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) from Hahoe.
    Deadly wildfires continued to rage across the region as authorities designated the affected counties 'special disaster zones'.
    At least four people have been killed and hundreds forced to flee their homes since blazes broke out in several areas on Saturday, stoked by strong winds and dry weather.
    (Production: Daewoung Kim, Minwoo Park)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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