Charred, black ruins at South Korea's Gounsa temple stood in stark contrast to the kaleidoscope of colours that are a trademark of the country's historic palaces and Buddhist temples.

The wildfires in South Korea, which started on 21 March and have killed at least 26 people, have since spread to cover more than 36,000 hectares - larger than recent wildfires that have similarly made headlines and sent panic rippling through local communities.

Uprecedented wildfires ripping through South Korea's southern regions have destroyed large parts of an ancient Buddhist temple, ruining two of its three state-designated "treasures."