Brazil: Situation critical as fires continue

Friday, 1 November 2019 13:22

Massive wildfires spanning 50 kilometers continue to burn across Southern Brazil.

They're advancing across the Pantanal wetlands, with at least 50,000 hectares destroyed so far.

It's considered to be one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.

The governor's office has called the situation "critical".

The fire started on October 25th and has been fueled by hot weather and strong winds.

According to official figures more than 167,000 forest fires have been recorded between January and October 30th this year.

More from International News

Strike hits Beirut apartment block as Israel presses attacks

An Israeli strike hit an apartment block in central Beirut on Wednesday, Lebanese authorities said, further widening Israeli attacks in the capital beyond the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs where heavy bombardment continued.
Six killed in Swiss bus blaze after person reportedly sets themselves on fire

At least six people have died, and three others were injured in a bus fire on Tuesday in a small town in western Switzerland, in what police said may have been a deliberate act following reports that a person on board set fire to themselves.
US says it destroyed mine-laying vessels as Trump warns Iran over strait

The US military says it "eliminated" 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday in a statement by its Central Command, as President Donald Trump warned that any mines laid in the strait by Iran must be removed immediately.
Britain working with allies to support shipping through Strait of Hormuz

Britain is working with allies on a range of options to support commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in the face of Iranian threats, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson said on Tuesday as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran roils oil prices.