Death toll rises to 128 in Australian bushfires

Whittlesea, Feb 9: Australian Police witnessed worst-ever scene on Monday, Feb 9 that burnt hundreds alive due to wild fire. Police confirmed 128 deaths from the fires on Saturday, Feb 7 that tore a destructive path across a vast swath of southern Victoria state, reducing entire towns to ruins.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, visibly upset during a television interview, reflected national disgust at the idea. "What do you say about anyone like that?'' Rudd said.

Suspecting more deaths and harm to property, officials said that 750 homes were destroyed.

The Southeastern state of Victoria has been burning for weeks but turned deadly on Saturday, Feb 7 when searing temperatures and wind blasts created a firestorm that swept across the region. A long-running drought in the south- the worst in a century -had left forests extra dry and Saturday's fire conditions were said to be the worst ever in Australia.

From the air, the landscape was blackened as far as the eye could see. Entire forests were reduced to leafless, charred trunks, farmland to ashes. The Victoria Country Fire Service said some 850 square miles were burned out.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)