Australia fire death toll hits 173

Sheer scale of bushfire devastation revealed as death toll rises
News-Medical.net - Sydney,Australia

Published: Monday, 9-Feb-2009

As Australians come to terms with the sheer scale of the destruction from the fires in Victoria, on an almost hourly basis the grisly search for survivors uncovers more victims.

Even though Australia has a lengthy history of coping with and surviving natural disasters, including bushfires, this latest catastrophe has stunned and shaken the country.

This time the scale and speed of the fires has shocked all involved and as the death toll climbs to 173 and the grim devastation is revealed, authorities warn that worse is yet to come.

According to the police 35 people have died at Kinglake, 26 at Strathewen and 22 in St Andrews, north of Melbourne and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) says the bodies have been found in several fire zones and spread through a number of areas and the numbers of fatalities are expected to rise throughout the day.

Experts warn that the fires remain a threat and alerts have been issued concerning the Yea-Murrindindi fire, which has broken containment lines along the eastern side of Black Ridge and residents around Healesville, Yarra Glen and Chum Creek, north-east of Melbourne and Toolangito have been alerted for heavy ember attack from the bushfires.
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