Wild fires claim over 170 lives in Australia

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-10-2009 08:34

At least 170 people have died in the worst wildfires ever to strike Australia. Suspicions of arson have led police to declare crime scenes in towns incinerated by blazes.

wildfires in Australia

Officials believe arson may be behind at least some of the more than 400 fires that tore through southern Victoria state over the weekend.

Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, reflected national disgust at the idea during a television interview in which he was visibly upset.

Kevin Rudd said, "What do you say about anyone like that? What do you say? I don't know. There's no words to describe it other than it's mass murder."

In Canberra, Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, was choked up with emotion.

Julia Gillard said, "The seventh of February 2009 will now be remembered as one of the darkest days in Australia's peacetime history."