Largest coral die-off recorded

Environmentalists call for Australian govt to abandon coal mining to help prevent further bleaching disasters

A mass bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef this year killed more corals than ever before, scientists said on Tuesday, sounding the alarm over the delicate ecosystem.

The 2,300-kilometer long reef - the world's biggest - suffered its most severe bleaching in recorded history, due to warming sea temperatures during March and April, with the northern third bearing the brunt.