Wangdue Phodrang Dzong in eastern Bhutan was destroyed by a fire on June 24. Perched on a cliff above the confluence of two rivers, the location of the temple-fortress, which was built in 1639, made it difficult for the 14 fire engines to get enough water up to it to put out the fire.
Most of the artifacts were saved. Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley promised that the temple would be rebuilt.