Australia's Barrier Reef 'in grave danger' from 'marine heatwave'

Scientists are warning of devastating coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Australia's eastern state of Queensland.

According to the local non-governmental organization Climate Council, new underwater images show the full extent of the disaster.

An area 1,100 kilometers long from Lizard Island to the Keppel Islands has already been affected, the Australian news agency AAP reported on Tuesday.

According to experts, the trigger is a recent marine heatwave in the region.