National day of mourning in Australia after wildfires
- 00:03:13
- ITN
National day of mourning in Australia after wildfires
Australians are observing a day of mourning for the victims of the bushfire disaster. Bells rang to start the main ceremony at an arena in Melbourne, capital of the disaster-hit southern state of Victoria, followed by a traditional greeting from Aboriginal elders. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called for the date when the fires were at their height, February 7, to be marked annually with a minute's silence. The day has already become known as Black Saturday. Mr Rudd paid tribute to the firefighters who tackled the blazes and victims who rallied round to help one another, recalling how many had flown the Australian flag after the disaster, in some cases using burnt saplings as flagpoles. He said: "In recent days we have witnessed unspeakable suffering. We have lost mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, we have lost brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, the tiniest of children. "All these are precious lives. No words can provide solace for grief so personal. But simply know this: You who suffer are not alone." Police have said 209 people were killed and more than 1,800 homes were destroyed in the fires that swept across Victoria in Australia's worst natural disaster in more than a century. The Princess Royal, who was at the ceremony to represent the Queen, said: "Individuals and towns have responded with resilience, ingenuity, courage and selflessness to situations that were changing at terrifying speed. "People from around Australia and across the world watched in horror but with admiration at their response."
ITN | February 22, 2009
