The death toll from the devastating forest and bush fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui has risen to at least 67. The extinguishing work continues.
After the devastating bush fires in Hawaii, the death toll has risen to at least 67. This was announced by the Maui district late Friday evening (local time). The number of fatalities had increased by twelve, it was said – in a previous balance sheet there had been talk of at least 55 deaths. Hawaii Governor Josh Green told CNN he expects more deaths.
Eradication work continues
According to the announcement, the extinguishing work on the island is still ongoing. The fire in the historic town of Lahaina in western Maui has not yet been contained. Almost 13,000 people live in Lahaina. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said the blaze had destroyed 80 percent of the city.
It certainly feels like a bomb dropped on Lahaina.
According to official figures, it is the worst natural disaster in the state’s history. Evacuation efforts were complicated by power outages and the disruption of cell phone service.
Thousands made homeless
Several fires broke out on Maui and the neighboring island of Hawaii on Tuesday, which quickly increased due to strong winds. Thousands of people became homeless. Many jumped into the sea to escape the flames.
According to the University of Hawaii, large fires break out in parts of the Hawaiian archipelago almost every year, but the scale of these fires is unusual.