http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/538514.aspx
UPDATE: 2/10/09-7:30am PT—Wildfires in southeastern Australia have reportedly caused nearly 200 deaths.
According to a CBN report and the Victoria Co. Fire Service, the fires near Melbourne have left some 5,000 people homeless, 750 homes destroyed and charred at least 1,100 square miles. In addition, Tuesday morning reports put the death toll at 181.
"…we watched the town burn."
EDITOR'S NOTE: In the midst of this terrible tragedy, may the people of Australia know that people all over the world are praying for them. And may they take comfort in the words of Psalm 34:18—"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit." -Aimee Herd, BCN.
(Australia)—BCN is asking our readers to be praying for Australia in light of what is being called the country's "worst natural disaster," as wildfires have devastated areas in the southeast; the death toll still climbing.
According to news reports, officials suspect that some of the fires were deliberately set, causing Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to refer to the calamity as "mass murder."
John Brumby, the Victoria State Premiere described the horror saying, "We have had whole communities just completely wiped out, completely obliterated, by what people would describe as literally a fireball that just came over the hills and devoured everything before them.
"It's the largest natural disaster in our state's history and Australia's history," Brumby added.
The BBC report included information for the status of family members or friends who may have been affected:
Relatives concerned about family members in the affected areas can contact the Australian Red Cross 24-hour helpline on (0061) 393283716 or, from the UK, the British Red Cross international tracing and message service on 0845 053 2004.