Family mourns couple killed by truck crash into home
A farming couple killed when a truck crashed into a home would want their community to keep working to make the world a better place, their family says.
disaster and accident
Dire warning on Australia’s disaster response readiness
Australia's emergency response system is in need of widespread reform if the nation is to keep up with the growing threat of natural disasters.
Insurer’s disaster claims running well under budget
Insurer IAG had relatively fewer natural peril claims in the first quarter of 2024/25, but CEO Nick Hawkins says everyone realises how quickly that can change.
‘Tar balls’ shut Sydney beaches, but low safety threat
Experts believe the mysterious, dark-coloured balls washing up on Sydney beaches are tar balls, which often occur after an oil spill.
Reluctant search and rescue heroes celebrated at awards
A search coordinator who helped pull off the extraordinary rescue of two pilots forced to ditch into the Pacific has been recognised for his team's efforts.
Beach closed, swimmers warned over mystery ‘tar balls’
The appearance of unexplained ball-shaped debris on a popular Sydney beach has prompted authorities to close it down and launch an investigation.
Woman’s arm severed after mauling by her own dog
Police have been hailed for their quick thinking after applying a tourniquet on a woman with a severed arm from a dog attack, a move that likely saved her life.
‘Paradise still paradise’: Florida vows to rebuild
Residents in Florida are determined to stay despite the devastating damage wreaked by two hurricanes, as Governor Ron DeSantis backs their right to rebuild.
Ceilings collapse, snow-like hail after wild weather
A severe thunderstorm brought heavy rain that caused ceilings in businesses to collapse and hail that coated the ground like snow north of Brisbane.
Tributes grow for girl, babysitter killed in fire
Tributes are gathering outside a home east of Brisbane after a blaze killed an eight-year-old girl and her 31-year-old babysitter.
Pilot ‘heavily intoxicated’ before fatal hotel crash
A drunk pilot's decision to take a helicopter from a Queensland airport hangar and fly it around a tourist spot before fatally crashing remains a mystery.
Child dead, person missing after fire at unit complex
A child has died and another person is missing after an early morning fire at a unit complex in Brisbane.
Second body found after fire, babysitter believed dead
A second body found in a burnt-out home is believed to be the woman who was babysitting an eight-year-old girl who died in the fire.
Calls for sweeping review after another mining death
The death of another mine worker in Australia's largest coal-producing state has sparked calls for an industry-wide review of safety practices.
More than 160 dead as Hurricane Helene cleanup goes on
As the death toll rises to more than 160 people, US southeastern states are facing a very long recovery from Hurricane Helene.
Clouds might have disorientated pilot in fatal crash
An investigation into a light plane crash which killed a couple aged in their 70s has found challenging weather conditions likely caused poor visibility.
Large, fast-moving bushfire threatens homes, residents
Residents in Queensland's far north have been warned to prepare themselves to evacuate as a bushfire rapidly spreads.
Disaster resilience gathering begins in flood-hit town
The National Indigenous Disaster Resilience gathering is being held in a flood-hit NSW town, hoping to highlight the importance of First Nations knowledge.
Army personnel injured after two tanks collide
Multiple army personnel were taken to a central Queensland hospital after two tanks collided during a military exercise.
Disaster alert: the areas at higher risk of flood, fire
Australia's emergency management teams are preparing for severe spring weather, with parts of the nation set for higher-than-average fire and flood risk.
Winds hit east coast, Tassie prepares for more floods
A woman has been killed by a falling tree branch as damaging winds hit the east coast of NSW, bringing gusts up to 100km/h.
Rain reduced worst sewage spill’s impact: council
The Gold Coast council says a study it commissioned has found significant rain helped reduce the impact of Queensland's worst sewage spill.
‘Beyond comprehension’: cop killed on memorial ride
A police officer visiting NSW from Queensland has died after his motorbike went down an embankment during a commemorative ride.
Fire response ramps up ahead of stark spring warning
Queensland is preparing its aerial firefighting fleet ahead of the high bushfire risk warning across spring and summer.
Blaze at Kenya boarding school kills 17 students
A fire at a school dormitory in Kenya has killed 17 students and injured 14 others, the latest in a series of blazes at the nation's schools in recent years.
Family top of mind for yachties rescued in wicked seas
Family reunions are in order for two yachties rescued 300 kilometres off Australia's east coast before one gets back on the water this week.
‘Like a missile’: fatal crash road reopens after blast
A major highway has reopened days after a truck full of chemicals exploded and created a five metre crater following a fatal collision in central Queensland.
Extremely lucky yacht duo ‘glad to be back’ on dry land
Rescuers battled massive seas to pluck two "extremely lucky" crew members to safety from a yacht stricken off the NSW south coast.
Major highway to remain closed after fiery crash
A key Queensland freight artery will remain closed for days after a crash and explosion damaged the road.
Investigation after theme park handler mauled by tiger
A well-trained handler is recovering from lacerations to her arm after a tiger bit her at the popular theme park, Dreamworld.
Fatal crash on major highway ends in massive explosion
A man has died in a fiery crash and almost 50 people were evacuated before a truck carrying chemicals exploded on a main highway.