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Deadly South Korea wildfire started by man performing rite at family grave

A Buddhist monk passes by the remains of the bell pavilion at Gounsa Temple in Uiseong. Photo: AP/Ahn Young-joon

A Buddhist monk passes by the remains of the bell pavilion at Gounsa Temple in Uiseong. Photo: AP/Ahn Young-joon

Sophia Yan

©Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd

Today at 03:30

South Korean police detained a man suspected of performing an ancestral rite that later grew into the country’s worst wildfire, killing at least 26 people and destroying ancient temples.

Authorities said yesterday he is believed to have begun the fire in south-eastern Uiseong County at a family grave on March 22.

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