'Worst ever' wildfires sweep through parts of South Korea

The wildfires are one of the worst South Korea has ever experiences.

Emergency services are racing to save people and ancient artefacts from huge wildfires in the south-eastern region of South Korea.

More than 27,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, and hundreds of buildings have been destroyed, including a 1,300-year-old temple in the Uiseong region of the country.

South Korea's acting president, Han Duck-soo said the fires were "unprecedented" and is "rewriting the record books for the worst wildfires in our nation's history".

Thousands of firefighters and around 5,000 military personnel have been working hard to help contain the multiple fires, both from the air and on the ground.

The fires started in Sancheong county on 21 March, before spreading to Uiseong county according to local authorities.

Fuelled by strong dry winds, the fires then spread to neighbouring counties Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang and Yeongdeok, according to local news agency Yonhap.

The strength of the fires and strong winds has meant it has been dangerous for helicopters to operate. One crashed whilst fighting the fires on Tuesday, killing the pilot.

There have been 26 deaths recorded so far - most of the casualties have been people in their 60's and 70's, local officials say.

Lee Byung-doo, at the National Institute of Forest Science, told news agency Reuters that the Uiseong blaze is spreading at an "unimaginable" scale and speed.

On Tuesday, the national fire agency said it had raised the crisis to the highest fire response level, the first time this year the alert has been issued.

Gounsa temple in South Korea was destroyed by wildfires.

So far around 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of forest have been destroyed, making the fires the third largest in South Korea's history in size.

The fires have destroyed the Gounsa temple, built in 618 AD, which was one of the largest temples in the area, as well as a Buddhist architectural structure, from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

Wildfires are uncommon in South Korea and authorities say they think these were started by accident from human activities.

But the country has been experiencing drier than normal conditions with less rainfall than usual, making the fires spread at a rapid rate.

Thousands of firefighters have been working hard to contain the wildfires

South Korea's acting president Han Duck-soo said they were hoping for rainfall to help fight the fires.

"We were desperately hoping for rain today or tomorrow to help extinguish the flames," Han added.

"This level of wildfire damage is unlike anything we've experienced before." he said.

Han also said that, after the fires were under control, the government would review their wildfire response plans and try to improve their fire prevention plans for the future.