At least 24 dead in South Korea's 'worst ever fires'

At least 24 people have been killed as multiple wildfires continue to ravage South Korea's south-east region.

Most of the victims are in their 60s and 70s, say authorities, adding that some 26 people are injured - with 12 in critical condition - as the deadly wildfires have forced more than 23,000 people to flee their homes.

The "unprecedented" crisis remains critical and is "rewriting the record books for the worst wildfires in our nation's history", said acting president Han Duck-soo.

The fires gutted the 1,300-year-old Gounsa temple in Uiseong city, where many cultural relics were removed and transported to safer ground.