With at least four people missing, the death toll from the bushfires in Australia has reached 12. The deadly bushfires have expanded to destroy a larger area, prompting the military to assist in controlling the flames, as reported by Daily Mirror.
The devastating bushfires have been fueled by a three-year drought in many parts of Australia, creating dry and flammable conditions. The fires have claimed twelve lives and continue to be exacerbated by high temperatures, resulting in columns of fire and smoke engulfing entire towns.
Residents and holidaymakers have been forced to seek refuge on beaches, with many standing in shallow water to evade the flames. New blazes are being ignited almost daily due to extremely hot and windy conditions, as well as dry lightning strikes generated by the fires themselves.
In New South Wales (NSW), over 100 blazes are still active, with thousands of firefighters working tirelessly to control the situation. Emergency workers have discovered the body of a man in a burnt car, and authorities have warned that the death toll is expected to rise.
In the midst of the fires, the sky above Mallacoota turned a blazing red on December 31, and residents sought refuge on the beach, some even venturing out onto the water in boats. The police have estimated that nearly 200 homes have been destroyed, acknowledging it as a preliminary assessment.
In Victoria state, four people remain missing after a massive blaze ravaged Gippsland, a rural region approximately 500 km east of Melbourne. The ongoing bushfires have caused widespread devastation and continue to pose a significant threat to the affected communities.