ID :
44738
Sun, 02/08/2009 - 19:43
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http://m.oananews.org//node/44738
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Victorian bushfires toll climbs to 66
The death toll from Victoria's bushfires has risen to at least 66, with another
victim being confirmed in Marysville, police say.
The state's toll from the latest bushfire disaster has thus exceeded the number of
Victorians killed in the Ash Wednesday fires in February 1983, when 47 died.
A person from Yea died in hospital.
Deaths have now been reported in Marysville and Whittlesea.
Six more people were confirmed dead in St Andrews, taking the town's bushfire
fatalities to 11, while four more deaths were recorded in Kinglake West, sending the
count to 10.
The death toll in Humevale rose to five, with two more fatalities confirmed.
One person is now confirmed dead at Marysville and three at Whittlesea.
Police continue to advise people to avoid fire-affected areas.
They say it is still too dangerous for many residents to return home.
Police also say some people may be unable to return home while disaster victims are
being identified.
Ten people remain in a critical condition in hospital after being burnt in the
Victorian bushfires.
A spokesman from Melbourne's The Alfred hospital said 10 patients were in a critical
condition in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit.
A further 10 were in a stable condition.
The spokesman said the hospital had received two new patients from the Austin
Hospital on Sunday.
He said no one at The Alfred had died from the fire.
Touring the firegrounds with Premier John Brumby and Victoria's police chief
commissioner Christine Nixon, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a joint
federal-state $10 million emergency relief fund for the victims.
He said emergency Centrelink payments are available to those needing immediate
financial assistance.
"Hell and all its fury has visited the good people of Victoria in the last 24
hours," Mr Rudd said.
"Many good people now lie dead. Many others lie injured.
"This is an appalling tragedy for Victoria but, because of that, it's an appalling
tragedy for the nation."
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) said there had been "significant structure losses"
in the town, but everyone had been safely evacuated to the local sports ground,
Gallipoli Park.
Emergency response crews were having difficulty accessing the town due to fallen
trees blocking roads, but ABC Radio is reporting that people have now been evacuated
in a convoy from Gallipoli Park to staging areas.
Mr Brumby said volunteer firefighters and aircraft were coming in from NSW and South
Australia, while the Australian army will also be brought in to help.
Mr Rudd said the nation's prayers are with those affected by the fires.
"Our first response as human beings is one of the deepest empathy for people whose
lives have now been devastated," Mr Rudd said.
"This loss of life, the numbers of injured, the horrific injuries, our thoughts and
our prayers go out to each and every one of them as they now try and deal with this
tragedy and recover from the damage which has occurred."
victim being confirmed in Marysville, police say.
The state's toll from the latest bushfire disaster has thus exceeded the number of
Victorians killed in the Ash Wednesday fires in February 1983, when 47 died.
A person from Yea died in hospital.
Deaths have now been reported in Marysville and Whittlesea.
Six more people were confirmed dead in St Andrews, taking the town's bushfire
fatalities to 11, while four more deaths were recorded in Kinglake West, sending the
count to 10.
The death toll in Humevale rose to five, with two more fatalities confirmed.
One person is now confirmed dead at Marysville and three at Whittlesea.
Police continue to advise people to avoid fire-affected areas.
They say it is still too dangerous for many residents to return home.
Police also say some people may be unable to return home while disaster victims are
being identified.
Ten people remain in a critical condition in hospital after being burnt in the
Victorian bushfires.
A spokesman from Melbourne's The Alfred hospital said 10 patients were in a critical
condition in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit.
A further 10 were in a stable condition.
The spokesman said the hospital had received two new patients from the Austin
Hospital on Sunday.
He said no one at The Alfred had died from the fire.
Touring the firegrounds with Premier John Brumby and Victoria's police chief
commissioner Christine Nixon, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a joint
federal-state $10 million emergency relief fund for the victims.
He said emergency Centrelink payments are available to those needing immediate
financial assistance.
"Hell and all its fury has visited the good people of Victoria in the last 24
hours," Mr Rudd said.
"Many good people now lie dead. Many others lie injured.
"This is an appalling tragedy for Victoria but, because of that, it's an appalling
tragedy for the nation."
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) said there had been "significant structure losses"
in the town, but everyone had been safely evacuated to the local sports ground,
Gallipoli Park.
Emergency response crews were having difficulty accessing the town due to fallen
trees blocking roads, but ABC Radio is reporting that people have now been evacuated
in a convoy from Gallipoli Park to staging areas.
Mr Brumby said volunteer firefighters and aircraft were coming in from NSW and South
Australia, while the Australian army will also be brought in to help.
Mr Rudd said the nation's prayers are with those affected by the fires.
"Our first response as human beings is one of the deepest empathy for people whose
lives have now been devastated," Mr Rudd said.
"This loss of life, the numbers of injured, the horrific injuries, our thoughts and
our prayers go out to each and every one of them as they now try and deal with this
tragedy and recover from the damage which has occurred."
