Thousands of people have fled to a beach in Victoria, Australia, to escape bushfires racing towards the coast.
Locals in Mallacoota described a “terrifying experience” of camping on wharves and boarding boats under blood-red skies.
Military aircraft and vessels are to be sent to help rescue efforts.
Officials confirmed another two people had been killed by fires in New South Wales (NSW), bringing the fire-linked death toll to 12.
Authorities say four people are missing in Victoria and another in NSW.
The bodies of the latest victims – believed to be a father and son – were found in the NSW town of Corbargo, which was hit by a massive blaze on Tuesday.
“Very tragic set of circumstances,” said NSW police deputy commissioner Gary Worboys. “[They were] obviously trying to do their best with the fire as it came through in the early hours of the morning.”
In Mallacoota, the local fire service said a change in wind direction had taken the worst of the fires away from the town.
“I understand there was a public cheer down at the jetty when that was announced,” said chief officer Steve Warrington.
More than a dozen “emergency-level” blazes span a 500km (310 miles) stretch across two Australian states – from Batemans Bay in New South Wales to Bairnsdale in Victoria.
Several holiday spots along the coast have been cut off and the main road in the region – the Princes Highway – has been closed.
Victoria’s state premier, Daniel Andrews, said navy ships might be called upon to provide food, water and power to the cut-off townships.
‘We were ready to jump into the water’
In Mallacoota, residents fled to the beach or took up shelter in fortified homes when they heard the warning siren go off at 08:00 local time on Tuesday.
“It should have been daylight but it was black like midnight and we could hear the fire roaring,” said David Jeffrey, a local business owner. “We were all terrified for our lives.”
“There’s a rock wall that they’ve built to keep back the sea, and that was where we were going to jump into the water if the radiant heat had hit,” he added.
The fire swept through the town destroying numerous buildings, but was kept back from the shore by the change in wind.
Firefighters had gathered at the shore as a last line of defence.
Victoria’s state emergency commissioner Andrew Crisp told reporters there were “4,000 people on the beach”.
Steve Warrington from the fire service said: “It is pitch black, it is quite scary… the community right now is under threat but we will hold our line and they will be saved and protected.”
He said there had been “significant property losses” across the entire East Gippsland region in the past days.
Authorities had urged people in the region – many of them tourists – to stay put because by Monday it was too late and dangerous to evacuate.
Residents in the NSW holiday towns of Bermagui and Batemans Bay also fled on Tuesday morning to the waterfront or makeshift evacuation sites near the shore.
Residents of Batemans Bay in NSW also headed to the water for safetyLocals told the BBC they had “bunkered in” as the front approached, raining ash on the beaches.
“It was bloody scary. The sky went red, and ash was flying everywhere,” said Zoe Simmons in Batemans Bay.
Firefighter death
Hundreds of massive blazes have destroyed millions of hectares in the eastern states of Australia since September.
A “freakish weather event” killed a volunteer firefighter on Sunday, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). He is the third volunteer firefighter to have died.
Samuel McPaul, 28, a newlywed, was expecting his first child. Powerful winds near the NSW-Victoria border – generated by the fires – lifted his 10-tonne truck off the ground and flipped it over, the service said.
Two other firefighters were also injured and suffered burns.
Temperatures exceeded 40C (104F) in every state and territory at the start of the week, with strong winds and lightning strikes bolstering the flames.
Meteorologists say a climate system in the Indian Ocean, known as the dipole, is the main driver behind the extreme heat in Australia.
But much of Australia is also suffering from a record drought and scientists say climate change has worsened the conditions, making it easier for fires to grow.
‘Ground blanketed in ash’
For many Australians, the final days of 2019 have been a tense and worrying time. The smoke hanging in the sky day after day is a constant reminder of communities on fire.
Some are staying inside to avoid the thick, acrid smoke, while others are cancelling holidays or taking long detours to avoid roadblocks.
Here in Merimbula, on the NSW coast, the sun has been blotted out, casting a deep orange haze in the sky. People on the street are describing it as apocalyptic.
The smoke is now so thick it’s almost impossible to drive. The ground is blanketed in ash and supermarkets are packed with people stocking up with supplies.
Holidaymakers should be swimming and hiking today, but they’re checking into evacuation centres or planning escape routes.
Multi-hyphenate artist, selector, and creative director Queen Petite is ushering in a bold, uninhibited era for global African music with the release of her brand-new single and self-engineered genre movement, “Ikapiano Pop.” Marking her second major genre innovation following her pioneering creation of Dembowpiano, the Nigeria-London based powerhouse continues to push global dancefloors into uncharted territory off the momentum of her standout projects PETITENESS and REBEL BLACK SHEEP.
Guided by her background behind the decks, Queen Petite’s work is driven by an instinctual command of room energy, seamless transitions, and dancefloor mechanics. Ikapiano Pop stands as a textured, high-octane fusion that layers trunk-rattling Miami basslines and crisp hip-hop drums over the hypnotic, swinging log-drums of Afropiano. Grounding this international production is her native heritage: the vocals are written and performed entirely in the Ika dialect, native to the South-South region of Nigeria, proving that raw, local storytelling holds universal cross-border appeal.
“Creating new sounds is second nature to me—first with Dembowpiano, and now stepping into my second genre creation with IKAPIANO POP,” states Queen Petite. “I didn’t start with an existing box and add my name to it; I built the blueprint from scratch. Being a DJ taught me how to read energy, and I wanted to construct something that feels incredible whether you’re listening in headphones or in a packed arena. It brings together my African identity, global influences, and pop accessibility so people feel free, confident, and unstoppable.”
Captured during an intense burst of inspiration, the track was recorded at London’s Hot Money Studios alongside engineer Patrick, with Queen Petite personally directing her Nigerian producer over the phone to execute the exact rhythmic blueprint in her mind. More than just a single release, Ikapiano Pop represents a long-term global movement set to anchor her upcoming DJ sets and live performances across the UK, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Described in three words as Free, Vibrant, and Unstoppable, “Ikapiano Pop” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Watch the Official Music Video for “Ikapiano Pop”
Blow Money Records proudly announces the release of “Jẹjẹ,” the latest single and official music video from Nigerian Afro-fusion artist Temmy Dreddz.
Produced by the talented OxDBeat and visually brought to life by Kore Culture with breathtaking scenes filmed in South Africa, Jẹjẹ is a refreshing Afrobeats record that celebrates love, patience, hope, and the beauty of embracing life’s journey one step at a time.
More than just a song, Jẹjẹ delivers a powerful message in a world driven by urgency. Inspired by the Yoruba expression jẹjẹ, meaning gently or take it easy, the record reminds listeners that meaningful progress, genuine love, and lasting success are built with patience, consistency, and faith in the process.
Complementing the song is a visually captivating music video that blends cinematic storytelling with vibrant African scenery, perfectly reflecting the warmth, emotion, and uplifting spirit of the record. Shot against the stunning landscapes of South Africa, the video enhances the song’s message while showcasing Temmy Dreddz’s artistic identity on a global stage.
Speaking on the release, Temmy Dreddz describes Jẹje.
With this release, Temmy Dreddz continues to establish himself as one of the emerging voices in contemporary African music, delivering authentic stories through infectious melodies and relatable songwriting.
“Jẹjẹ” and its official music video are now available on all major digital streaming platforms and YouTube worldwide.
Emerging musical innovator Espago has officially released his captivating new single, “Nisho Baby.” Known for his distinct ability to blur the lines between contemporary pop, smooth R&B, and infectious Afrobeats, Espago delivers a track designed to get listeners moving while enveloping them in a rich sonic atmosphere.
Espago’s unique sound is heavily inspired by the introspective mood of late-night drives and the comforting nostalgia of the early 2000s music era. With “Nisho Baby,” he channels these diverse influences into a seamless, modern groove, prioritizing smooth vocal textures and an irresistible rhythm. The track strikes a perfect balance, acting as both a laid-back vibe for solo listening and an undeniable call to the dance floor.
Moving beyond standard genre boundaries, the single highlights Espago’s commitment to building a unique sonic identity. The production carries a warm, retro-modern texture that allows his melodic performance to take center stage, establishing him as an exciting independent force to watch in the evolving global African music landscape.
“Music for me is all about capturing a specific feeling and turning it into a rhythm people can move to. Nisho Baby is that perfect bridge between early 2000s nostalgia and the modern sounds we love to dance to late at night.”
— Espago
With its effortless charm, smooth transitions, and high-replay value, “Nisho Baby” marks a defining step forward in the artist’s creative journey.
“Nisho Baby” is available now on all major digital music streaming platforms worldwide.
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