Thursday 07 / November / 2024
Lahaina: An intense wildfire broke out on Hawaii's Maui island on Wednesday, ravaging much of the historic city of Lahaina and killing at least 36 people, according to a press statement.
Dozens were left injured as they made desperate attempts to flee the flames and over 270 buildings were damaged or completely destroyed, officials said.
Many historical sites were destroyed in the town in west Maui, officials said. Losses include buildings along Lahaina's historic Front Street and a giant Banyan tree that was imported to the island from India in 1873.
Aerial video showed columns of smoke and haze raging in the 12,000-resident town of Lahaina, a top destination for tourists. Many of the hotels were badly damaged as well.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen had earlier in the day confirmed the deaths of six people before officials later increased the official death toll.
"Much of Lahaina on Maui has been destroyed and hundreds of local families have been displaced," Hawaii Governor Josh Green said as he addressed the media.
Officials are yet to complete their assessment of damage and rescue workers are continuing the relief work in the US state.
"We are still in a search-and-rescue mode and so I don't know what will happen to that number, " Bissen said.
Power outages and disruptions in telephone services further aggravated the situation as they impeded evacuation efforts. Communication with the west side of Maui was only available via satellite, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke said.
The smoke and flames rising from the fire forced thousands to evacuate and some people to flee into the sea.
The Coast Guard confirmed it had "successfully rescued 12 individuals from the waters off Lahaina" and it was sending more ships to Maui.
US President Joe Biden shared his condolences and in a statement said that he has ordered "all available Federal assets on the Islands to help with response."
According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Dora could be blamed for the rushing wind which fanned the flames.
The storm was passing to the south of the island at a safe distance of 500 miles (805 kilometers).
Sylvia Luke, the state's lieutenant governor, said the fires have burned hundreds of acres and were being fanned by winds up to 80 miles per hour.
Officials had issued a weather service wind advisory which was in effect until Thursday morning.
