Three people feared dead in Australian bushfires

There have been nine confirmed casualties this bushfire season, which includes the death of a volunteer firefighter on Monday who was killed after his truck was blown over by strong winds.

The sky glows red as bushfires continue to rage in Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia in this photo obtained from social media. (Jonty Smith from Melbourne/via Reuters)

Three people caught in bushfires in Australia’s southeast are feared dead, authorities said on Tuesday, as huge fire fronts cause widespread devastation and forced thousands of holidaymakers to flee to beaches to escape the flames.

New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said there were preliminary reports of three potential fatalities in small towns in the state of New South Wales.

Fitzsimmons said it was unsafe for police to get to the locations due to the ongoing threat from fires.

Story continues below this ad

“We have three people unaccounted for and the potential for three potential fatalities as a result of the fire on the south coast,” Fitzsimmons told media.

Two people are feared dead in the town of Cobargo, and one in Belowra.

A further four people are unaccounted for in the state of Victoria, the site of some of the fiercest recent fires, although authorities have not provided further information.

There have been nine confirmed casualties this bushfire season, which includes the death of a volunteer firefighter on Monday who was killed after his truck was blown over by strong winds.

Story continues below this ad

Australia has been battling huge bushfires, mostly across its east coast, for several weeks. The blazes have destroyed more than 4 million hectares (10 million acres).

Some firefronts in Australia’s south-east stretch more than 1,000km (621 miles), pressuring the firefighting resources especially in small towns.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Australia

The theft prompted an immediate shutdown of the Louvre museum in Paris. (Pixabay)

Louvre Museum in Paris shut after thieves armed with chainsaws loot Napoleon-era jewels

World1 hr ago

Thieves armed with chainsaws stole nine pieces of jewelry, including items belonging to Napoleon and Empress Joséphine, from the Louvre Museum. The museum was immediately shut down and a police investigation is underway. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the incident and the Louvre remains closed. The robbers used a freight elevator and broke through glass displays.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS