American firefighters die in Australia

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A C-130 Hercules drops water over a fire in Australia. Associated Press/Rural Fire Service

Three Americans were battling wildfires in southern New South Wales when their C-130 Hercules aerial water tanker crashed on Thursday. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Americans and firefighters from several other countries have joined Australian teams in combating one of the worst fire seasons the continent has seen.

What’s the latest on the disaster? Australians celebrated more rainfall in recent days, but several blazes continue. On Thursday, the fire service said more than 1,700 firefighters were working on 70 fires, including 44 that were not contained. The plane crash brings the death toll to 32 since the fire season began in September.

Dig deeper: Read my report in World Tour on the economic and political impact of the fires.

Onize Ohikere

Onize is WORLD’s Africa reporter and deputy global desk chief. She is a World Journalism Institute graduate and earned a journalism degree from Minnesota State University–Moorhead. Onize resides in Abuja, Nigeria.

@onize_ohiks