(UTV|COLOMBO) – Thousands of people have fled to a beach in Victoria, Australia, to escape bushfires racing towards the coast.
Locals in Mallacoota described a “terrifying experience” of camping on wharves and boarding boats under blood-red skies.
Military aircraft and vessels are to be sent to help rescue efforts.
Officials confirmed another two people had been killed by fires in New South Wales (NSW), bringing the fire-linked death toll to 12.
Authorities say four people are missing in Victoria and another in NSW.
The bodies of the latest victims – believed to be a father and son – were found in the NSW town of Corbargo, which was hit by a massive blaze on Tuesday.
“Very tragic set of circumstances,” said NSW police deputy commissioner Gary Worboys. “[They were] obviously trying to do their best with the fire as it came through in the early hours of the morning.”
In Mallacoota, the local fire service said a change in wind direction had taken the worst of the fires away from the town.
“I understand there was a public cheer down at the jetty when that was announced,” said chief officer Steve Warrington.
More than a dozen “emergency-level” blazes span a 500km (310 miles) stretch across two Australian states – from Batemans Bay in New South Wales to Bairnsdale in Victoria.
Several holiday spots along the coast have been cut off and the main road in the region – the Princes Highway – has been closed.
Victoria’s state premier, Daniel Andrews, said navy ships might be called upon to provide food, water and power to the cut-off townships.
‘We were ready to jump into the water’
In Mallacoota, residents fled to the beach or took up shelter in fortified homes when they heard the warning siren go off at 08:00 local time on Tuesday. (Courtesy – BBC)