Wildfire crisis closes several embassies in Australia
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The wildfires devastating parts of Australia have forced the closure of a number of embassies in the capital Canberra, where state authorities issued an alert that a return to hot and windy conditions was likely to push more smoke across the territory over the weekend.
Kersti Eesmaa, Estonia’s ambassador to Australia, confirmed that the country’s embassy had switched to Sydney, the first time it had ever closed its main diplomatic residence. Hungary’s embassy is also shut due to “extreme unhealthy air pollution”, with enquires directed to the consulates in Sydney and Melbourne.
Ireland and Italy also temporarily closed their embassies earlier this week due to the severe deterioration in air quality while Israel warned that its diplomatic services would be delayed due to the hazardous smoke.
The smoke is a result of the fierce bushfires that have ravaged Australia for months. The blazes have incinerated an area larger that Denmark, destroying thousands of properties, devastating forests and wildlife and killing at least 24 people. Canberra, three hours drive inland from Sydney, has been particularly badly affected as the city has ben enveloped by thick smoke from the fires in the neighbouring state of New South Wales.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has expressed regret over his handling of the bushfire crisis ravaging the country.
The PM has faced mounting criticism over his government’s response to the bushfires and its climate policy.
Since September, bushfires have killed at least 28 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
On Sunday, Mr Morrison conceded there were “things I could have handled on the ground much better”.
In recent weeks, Mr Morrison has been heckled by locals when visiting fire-hit communities in the states of New South Wales and Victoria, where the worst blazes are concentrated.
