12 Dead, Several Missing as Australia Counts the Cost of Devastating Bushfires

12 Dead, Several Missing as Australia Counts the Cost of Devastating Bushfires
The sky glows red as bushfires continue to rage in Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia, Dec. 31, 2019. Melbourne/via Reuters
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SYDNEY—A third person was confirmed dead on Wednesday in devastating bushfires that engulfed Australia’s southeast coast this week and a fourth was missing and feared dead, as navy ships rushed to provide supplies and assist with evacuations.

Twelve people have now lost their lives in fire-related deaths across Australia since blazes broke out a few months ago, including three volunteer firefighters, after a three-year drought in large parts of the nation created tinder-dry conditions.