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Australia bushfires: Tasmania search for 100 'missing' Australia bushfires: Tasmania search for 100 'missing'
(about 1 hour later)
Australian police are combing towns in Tasmania looking for 100 unaccounted people following wildfires which have ravaged the south of the island state. Australian police are searching fire-ravaged towns in southern Tasmania looking for 100 unaccounted people.
Tasmania's police commissioner has said that they fear some may have lost their lives in the fires. Tasmania's police commissioner said he feared lives may have been lost in the wildfires which swept through parts of the island in recent days.
Almost 3,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, many stranded in emergency shelters.Almost 3,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, many stranded in emergency shelters.
On Friday, Tasmania experienced its peak temperature since records began with levels hitting 41.8C.On Friday, Tasmania experienced its peak temperature since records began with levels hitting 41.8C.
The national weather bureau has warned extremely hot conditions are expected across much of the country next week.The national weather bureau has warned extremely hot conditions are expected across much of the country next week.
Acting Tasmania Police Commissioner Scott Tilyard said about 100 remained unaccounted for.Acting Tasmania Police Commissioner Scott Tilyard said about 100 remained unaccounted for.
"That's not to say that those people necessarily have come to any harm, but obviously we can't totally eliminate that until we've had confirmed contact with those individuals," Mr Tilyard said."That's not to say that those people necessarily have come to any harm, but obviously we can't totally eliminate that until we've had confirmed contact with those individuals," Mr Tilyard said.
He said the crews, whose numbers have been swelled by relief teams from mainland Australia, were expecting to find "one or more" people who had perished in the fires.He said the crews, whose numbers have been swelled by relief teams from mainland Australia, were expecting to find "one or more" people who had perished in the fires.
More than 40 fires are still burning. On Sunday, firefighters issued an emergency warning for residents of Taranna, 29 miles (47km) east of the state capital, Hobart, where a fire has been burning for more than three days.More than 40 fires are still burning. On Sunday, firefighters issued an emergency warning for residents of Taranna, 29 miles (47km) east of the state capital, Hobart, where a fire has been burning for more than three days.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard is due to tour Dunalley on Monday, where more than 65 homes, the police station and a school have been destroyed in the small town, 56km east of Hobart.Prime Minister Julia Gillard is due to tour Dunalley on Monday, where more than 65 homes, the police station and a school have been destroyed in the small town, 56km east of Hobart.
The BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney, says large swathes of south-east Australia are suffering from the worst fire conditions since the Black Saturday disaster almost four years ago, when 173 people in rural Victoria lost their lives.The BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney, says large swathes of south-east Australia are suffering from the worst fire conditions since the Black Saturday disaster almost four years ago, when 173 people in rural Victoria lost their lives.
He says there has been a combination of a record-breaking heatwave, high winds and drought, with Tasmania by far the worst hit.He says there has been a combination of a record-breaking heatwave, high winds and drought, with Tasmania by far the worst hit.
Are you in Tasmania? Have you been affected by the wildfires? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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Are you in Tasmania? Have you been affected by the wildfires? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions