Scores of people fled their homes in southern Australia today amid fears new wildfires were about to devastate the area again.

Princess Anne joined Australia’s leaders today as the nation held a national day of mourning for the victims of wildfires that killed hundreds.

Survivors from Australian towns razed by the worst wildfires in the country’s history returned to their homes for the first time today to be confronted by utter devastation.

With rescue teams finding new corpses by the hour, the Australian wildfire death toll was expected to soar past 200 today.

Australia's prime minister described arsonists suspected of starting devastating wildfires as mass murderers as the death toll mounted today.

Australia’s deadly wildfires destroyed at least 640 houses and that tally was expected to rise today.

Three houses and a golf club were destroyed today as extreme weather conditions in south east Australia fuelled wildfires and fear and crews battled scores of blazes.