Massive wildfires, furious protests and Nazi boat rides make up World Press Photo 2020 nominations

THE incredible images which have helped shape the news over the past 12 months are the focus of an awards show which rewards only the best of the best.

Since 1955 the World Press Photo Contest has recognised the work of the elite professional photographers covering the planet’s most important stories.

2019 MATTHEW ABBOTT

The moment flames engulf eucalyptus trees forcing Australian firefighters to abandon their truck[/caption]

They are the people which put their lives on the line every day to capture the photos which will be printed online, in newspapers and broadcast around the globe.

This year, the long-running contest saw around 4,000 photographers from 125 countries enter more than 73,000 gripping and candid pictures.

Included are images of the devastating bush fires which ravaged Australia, deadly air disasters, street riots and even a bizarre Nazi-themed boat ride.

The winners will be announced at the 63rd awards show which is taking place in Amsterdam in mid April.

In the meantime, here are some of the amazing pictures which have made it onto the hotly-contested shortlist…

©Mark Petereson 2019

Neo-Nazis hold a boat party to celebrate Adolf Hitler’s birthday in Atkins, Arkansas[/caption]

2019 MATTHEW ABBOTT

A car melts after temperatures soar to 660C during the wild fires In Australia[/caption]

AP:Associated Press

Volunteers wade through floods after devastating Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas[/caption]

AFP - DPA

Algerian students and riot police scuffle during an anti-government demonstration[/caption]

AFP - Getty

Thousands line the streets to see the Liverpool parade the Champions League trophy[/caption]

AFP - Getty

Riot police run towards protesters on Nathan road in Hong Kong on December 1, 2019[/caption]

Fabio Bucciarelli

Riot cops fire teargas at protesters on the ravaged streets of Chile[/caption]

AP:Associated Press

Firefighters battle the Marsh Fire near the town of Brentwood in Contra Costa County, California[/caption]

Lorenzo Tugnoli/ Washington Post/ Contrasto

The Afghan national army detonate an improvised explosive device on a busy road[/caption]

AFP - Getty

Students head to school after participating in a ‘human chain rally’ in Hong Kong[/caption]

©2019 Steve Winter All Rights Reserved +1 201.723.4606

Big cats take a dip at the Tiger Safari park in Myrtle Beach South Carolina[/caption]

Ivor Prickett/The New York Times

A young Kurd with his girlfriend after he had been badly burnt during a battle with Turkish forces[/caption]