Bushfire disaster worse than Bali bombings

Published: 2:19AM Tuesday February 10, 2009 Source: AAP

  • Print this article
  • Text size + -

A doctor treating Victoria's bushfire burns victims at Melbourne's The Alfred hospital says the magnitude of the disaster is worse than the Bali bombings.

With 20 serious burns patients admitted to The Alfred in 24 hours, emergency department doctor De Villiers Smit said the scale of the disaster was worse than what he saw after the Bali bombings.

Smit said all the bushfire burns victims patients admitted to The Alfred had burns to more than 30% of their bodies.

"This is by far the worst disaster I've ever been involved with," Smit told reporters in Melbourne.

The Alfred's burns unit surgical director Heather Clelland said several of the bushfire burns victims remain on life support.

"We've had 20 patients admitted to The Alfred hospital burns unit," Clelland said.

"These are patients with major burns injuries, with or without significant smoke inhalation injuries as well.

"We admitted 20 patients in 24 hours and that is I think a record number of patients in that period of time."

  • Print this article
  • Text size + -
  • more...

World News Video

Advertising

How do you want your news?

  • Mobile Devices

    TVNZ is available on mobile phones: Text TVNZ to 8869.

  • News Feeds

    See when TVNZ have added new content. You can get the latest headlines anywhere.

  • Podcasts

    Enjoy TVNZ on the move - a wide range of programmes and highlights are available.