The balance of major wildfires hitting the North American archipelago of Hawaii has risen to 36 deaths, authorities of the county of Maui, the hardest-hit island, announced Wednesday by international agencies.
FIRE IN HAWAII
More images released about the disaster that caused the wildfires in Bis Iceland and Maui, Hawaii.
: reproduction pic.twitter.com/DIyWCeWKVf
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“While firefighting continues, 36 people have been killed so far in the fire in Lahaina, which remains active,” said the statement, released on social network X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
This fire has already destroyed much of the resort town of Lahaina on Maui’s west coast.
The previous official balance was six dead, 20 injured and thousands homeless.
However, the released note does not clarify whether these 36 fatalities will be added to the six previously recorded deaths.
On Wednesday, the US authorities feared an increase in the number of victims.
The fears are related to the passage of Hurricane Dora near the archipelago, which exacerbated the fires, which caused extensive damage and evacuations, particularly on the island of Maui, the second largest island in this US state.
The largest fire broke out on Tuesday in the city of Lahaina, one of the most popular cities with tourists, forcing many residents to take shelter in the sea to escape the flames and smoke.
The fires also hit Kula, another part of the island of Maui, and the Kohala Peninsula on the island of Hawaii.
US authorities have declared a state of emergency and Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke said Maui’s hospital network was overwhelmed by the influx of patients with burns or smoke inhalation.
Source: DN
