The New Zealand city of Christchurch was struck by three major tremors yesterday and a large number of minor ones. These are all considered aftershocks of the first major earthquake that Christchurch suffered some time ago. There is now expected to be a period of increased seismic activity.
The following videos feature footage and updates concerning the latest earthquake developments in Christchurch.
It has been over a week since the bushfires in Victoria took a turn for the worse. Bushfires had been burning in heatwave affected Victoria for some time previous to the conflagration that took place last Saturday, but it was on that day that they turned deadly.
A week since that deadly day and the death toll remains unclear, with 181 confirmed dead and some 120 people still missing, feared dead. Over 1800 homes have been destroyed, along with many other buildings including churches, schools, police stations and shops. The damage bill is expected to run into the billions of dollars.
Whatever way you look at it, this bushfire crisis is a major disaster and the worst to have ever come to Australia. All other disasters fade away in contrast to this.
The death toll breaks down to this:
|
Callignee Upper |
1 |
|
Callignee |
11 |
|
Koornalla |
4 |
|
Hazelwood |
4 |
|
Jeeralang |
1 |
|
Mudgegonga |
2 |
|
Eaglehawk |
1 |
|
Humevale |
6 |
|
Steels Creek |
7 |
|
St Andrews |
22 |
|
Arthurs Creek |
3 |
|
Yarra Glen |
1 |
|
Hazeldene |
2 |
|
Taggerty |
3 |
|
Marysville |
15 |
|
Narbethong |
9 |
|
Flowerdale |
4 |
|
Heathcote Junction |
1 |
|
Kinglake |
35 |
|
Kinglake West |
4 |
|
Strathewen |
30 |
|
Wandong |
4 |
|
Clonbinane |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Others |
10 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
181 |
Thus far we know that some of the fires were started by lightening strikes and arsonists. It is now thought that at least one of the fires may have been started by poorly maintained electrical infrastructure near Kilmore East. A class action against the private contractor SP Ausnet (Singapore based) is being planned. Over 100 people died from a blaze in the Kilmore East area.
ABOVE: Another theft of a bushfire appeal collection tin
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