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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Fire aftermath 'too distressing' | Fire aftermath 'too distressing' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Australian police are stopping some residents of bushfire-hit areas from returning to their homes, saying the scenes would be too gruesome. | Australian police are stopping some residents of bushfire-hit areas from returning to their homes, saying the scenes would be too gruesome. |
| In Marysville, north of Melbourne, there were still a number of charred bodies to be removed, police said. | In Marysville, north of Melbourne, there were still a number of charred bodies to be removed, police said. |
| While 181 deaths have been confirmed across the affected area so far, there are dozens of people missing. | While 181 deaths have been confirmed across the affected area so far, there are dozens of people missing. |
| Firefighters are still struggling against more than 20 fires, most of which are not yet under control. | Firefighters are still struggling against more than 20 fires, most of which are not yet under control. |
| Authorities in the state of Victoria, which for four days has been ravaged by the worst bushfires in Australia's history, say they are confident of catching arsonists they suspect are partly responsible.Map: Locations of major fires | |
| Police are searching for two men suspected of starting a blaze late on Tuesday, which is now threatening a town in the region. There have also been some reports of looting. | Police are searching for two men suspected of starting a blaze late on Tuesday, which is now threatening a town in the region. There have also been some reports of looting. |
| While cooler weather continues to provide relief for firefighters, and residents of some fire-hit areas have been allowed to return to their homes, this emergency is far from over, says the BBC's Phil Mercer in Whittlesea, north of Melbourne. | While cooler weather continues to provide relief for firefighters, and residents of some fire-hit areas have been allowed to return to their homes, this emergency is far from over, says the BBC's Phil Mercer in Whittlesea, north of Melbourne. |
| Talk of arson in the town has provoked fury, our correspondent says, with many locals finding incomprehensible the prospect that some of the devastation may have been manmade, our correspondent adds. | Talk of arson in the town has provoked fury, our correspondent says, with many locals finding incomprehensible the prospect that some of the devastation may have been manmade, our correspondent adds. |
| Suspect sites | Suspect sites |
| In Marysville, forensic investigators have been sifting through the ash-ridden remains of homes to identify those killed, but said some bodies were too badly burned to be identified.Advertisement | In Marysville, forensic investigators have been sifting through the ash-ridden remains of homes to identify those killed, but said some bodies were too badly burned to be identified.Advertisement |
| Bushfire video footage and survivors' stories | Bushfire video footage and survivors' stories |
| Local media reported that as many as 100 of the town's 519 residents may have died in the fires that left only a few houses standing. | Local media reported that as many as 100 of the town's 519 residents may have died in the fires that left only a few houses standing. |
| Victoria state premier John Brumby said in some cases it would be weeks before positive identification could be made. | Victoria state premier John Brumby said in some cases it would be weeks before positive identification could be made. |
| He added that with bodies still being collected, the death-toll was likely to "exceed 200 deaths". | He added that with bodies still being collected, the death-toll was likely to "exceed 200 deaths". |
| A 100-strong police investigation squad has been set up, named Task Force Phoenix, and some scorched towns declared crime scenes. | A 100-strong police investigation squad has been set up, named Task Force Phoenix, and some scorched towns declared crime scenes. |
| The fires injured some 500 people, destroying nearly 1,000 homes and torching 365,000 hectares (902,000 acres) of land. | The fires injured some 500 people, destroying nearly 1,000 homes and torching 365,000 hectares (902,000 acres) of land. |
| Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has pledged that damaged communities would be rebuilt, with no limit on federal spending, and described the possibility of arson as "murder on a grand scale". | Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has pledged that damaged communities would be rebuilt, with no limit on federal spending, and described the possibility of arson as "murder on a grand scale". |
| One site where arson is suspected is Gippsland, east of Melbourne, which is among a number of sites which have been sealed off as possible crime scenes. | One site where arson is suspected is Gippsland, east of Melbourne, which is among a number of sites which have been sealed off as possible crime scenes. |
| Australian Attorney-General Robert McClelland said arsonists could face murder charges. | Australian Attorney-General Robert McClelland said arsonists could face murder charges. |
| Return to the top | Return to the top |
| Are you affected by the fires? Do you have friends or relatives in the area? | Are you affected by the fires? Do you have friends or relatives in the area? |
| Send your comments using the post form below. | Send your comments using the post form below. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |