Death toll rises to 53 in Maui deadly wildfires: Governor
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The death toll has been rising in the catastrophic wildfires scorching Maui.
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A Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources wildland firefighting member on Maui battle a fire in Kula, Hawaii. (AP)
At least 53 individuals have perished as a result of the continuing wildfires in Hawaii, according to a press release from Maui County.
"Lahaina, Pulehu, and Upcountry Maui Fires Combined Update No. 15 at 1:10 p.m. (HST): As firefighting efforts continue, 17 additional fatalities have been confirmed today amid the active Lahaina fire. This brings the death toll to 53 people," the release said on Thursday. "The status of all three fires remains unchanged from the last update at 10:30 a.m. this morning."
Hundreds of families have been relocated, and more than a thousand buildings in Lahaina had been damaged. Hawaii Governor Josh Green said Thursday.
"We know that many people are suffering. The fatality numbers will climb somewhat today, and we'll those numbers for you ... We probably have well over a thousand buildings that have been destroyed. Many, many hundreds of families have been displaced," Green said in a video on X.
Yesterday, local authorities in Hawaii reported that the Lahaina fire killed at least 36 people and that it was still active.
Numerous businesses in the historic town of Lahaina have been damaged by wildfires that were sparked by Hurricane Dora's high winds, injuring many more. For three fires, there have been thirteen evacuations.
Adults and children had to dive into the ocean for protection as flames erupted day and night.
US President Joe Biden declared that he has "ordered all available federal assets on the islands to help with the response." He offered his condolences and added that he and his wife were praying for everyone who had experienced the destruction of their homes, places of business, and towns.
At least 271 structures were found to have been destroyed or damaged during flyovers conducted on Wednesday afternoon by the Maui fire department and the US Civil Air Patrol. According to Mahina Martin, a spokesperson for Maui County, determining the entire scope of the damage might take weeks or months.
Devastating flames were fanned by Hurricane Dora's strong winds on the island of Maui. Since the 2018 fire in California, which killed at least 85 people and laid waste to the town of Paradise, it has now been the deadliest US wildfire.
