Monstrous bushfires, never seen before, started on Feb 7 2009 (dubbed Black Saturday) and swept across the south eastern tip of Australia, not far from the East of Melbourne, scorched some 450,000ha in its wake and killed more than 200 people.
It was as if fire rained down from heaven on earth! Some communities were virtually wiped off the map by the intensity of the flames.
People from across Australia and around the world watched in horror the devastation and the loss of human lives. Children, siblings and whole families were consumed, and some didn’t even make it in a last minute dash to what was safety in their cars. Indeed, the suffering and grief endured by the survivors was unspeakable!
In the midst of all this tragedy, individuals and town-folk from nearby communities, in fact people from across Australia and elsewhere, have risen to help in every sphere of need with frenetic speed. Many have responded with ingenuity, resilience, selflessness and courage. Their response has been one of admiration. Indeed, there is unity in grief and strength in hope. All is not lost.
I bring you some of those pictures, the bushfires at their peak and the aftermath as seen above.
No comments:
Post a Comment