City
Epaper

Death toll from Australian bushfires reach 4

By IANS | Updated: November 14, 2019 11:10 IST

The death toll from the devastating fires in eastern Australia has risen to four as firefighters raced against the clock on Thursday to contain the blazes ahead of the weekend when conditions were expected to worsen.

Open in App

New South Wales Police reported in a statement that a body was found on Wednesday night in burnt-out bushland near the city of Kempsey, located on the north coast of the state, reports Efe news.

"It's believed to be the body of a 58-year-old man who lived in a shed nearby," police said

The four dead have been found in recent days in the central and northern coast of New South Wales, the area most affected by the bushfires that have injured more than 100 people and razed some 300 buildings in an area of more than 11,000 sq.km.

New South Wales' Rural Fire Service said Thursday morning there were about 60 fires active, with 30 of them uncontained in the state where some 1,200 firefighters tried to mitigate the flames in the face of worsening conditions, such as rising temperatures and wind.

Dozens of fires also burn in the neighbouring state of Queensland and authorities have ordered evacuation in towns such as Noosa North Shore and Woodgate.

In Western Australia, almost 20 fires are burning in the territory, which is rich in mineral and hydrocarbon resources and where temperatures over 35 degrees Celsius are expected.

The fire season in Australia varies by area and weather conditions although they are generally recorded in the southern summer (between the months of December to March).

In recent years, forest fires in Australia - which this year has also suffered a severe drought - have increased in intensity and many experts link it to the effects of climate change.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

International"We want Israel to get them fed," says Trump on Gaza

Other SportsFakhar Zaman ruled out of West Indies tour with hamstring injury

Cricket"It just felt like a wicket could fall with every ball": Sanjay Bangar reflects on 3rd session of Day 4 in series decider between India-England

MumbaiMumbai Building Collapse: Old Building Housing Post Office Collapses in Madanpura; Watch

NationalTelangana Congress MLA finds fault with CM’s remarks on social media journalists

International Realted Stories

InternationalPakistan's cotton output plunges 30pc, Sindh records sharpest fall: PCGA

InternationalTorrential monsoon rains in Pakistan claim 299 lives, including 140 children

InternationalDruze clashes erupt in Syria's Suwayda, ceasefire violated amid renewed violence

InternationalNorth Korea slams Japan's reported move to deploy upgraded anti-ship missiles in Kumamoto

International"Nuclear submarines are in Russian region," says Trump