Australian wildfires destroy homes and buildings - This aerial photo shows a view- Navbharat Times Photodhamal

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This aerial photo shows a view of Dunalley after a wildfire destroyed around 80 buildings in and around the small town, east of the Tasmanian capital of Hobart, Australia.

In This Pic : Tasmanian capital, Australia

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright

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Australian officials battled a series of wildfires amid scorching temperatures across the country, with one blaze destroying dozens of homes in the island state of Tasmania.

In This Pic : Hobart, Australian officials, Australia

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright

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Acting Tasmania police commissioner Scott Tilyard said about 100 people were yet to be accounted for after fast-moving fires ravaged the south of the state, where residents described trees exploding and towering flames. "That's not to say that those people necessarily have come to any harm, but obviously we can't totally eliminate that until we've had confirmed contact with those individuals," Tilyard told reporters. "But we have to brace ourselves for the fact we may locate one or more deceased people," he added.

In This Pic : Wildfire, Dunalley, Australia Hobart

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright

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Residents returning to the wreckage of their homes described the devastation as "armageddon", while others recounted desperate moments as the fire tore through, forcing them to take shelter in the Dunalley canal. One family was saved by a water-bombing aircraft which arrived overhead as flames surrounded their waterfront caravan. They were armed only with buckets.

In This Pic : Hobart, Australia wildfire

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright