2023-08-10 10:52:30
The violent fires ravaging the American archipelago of Hawaii have killed at least 36 people, according to a new report released on Wednesday August 9 by the authorities of the county of Maui, the island mainly affected. The previous toll reported six dead. Dozens of people were also injured, according to the authorities.
The fires were fueled by strong winds exacerbated by Hurricane Dora. Much of the tourist town of Lahaina, population 12,000, “was destroyed and hundreds of local families were displaced”, Hawaii Governor Josh Green said in a statement. The western part of the island, where Lahaina is located, was almost surrounded by fires, with only one highway still passable.
More than 800 acres have burned, according to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. “Strong, gusty winds and drought conditions put most of Hawaii under a red alert that ended Wednesday night, and new fires are raging on the Big Island and on Maui”, she added.
11,000 tourists evacuated
Earlier, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, had announced the mobilization of all federal means available on the archipelago. He also said the Department of Transportation was working with airlines to evacuate tourists from the hardest-hit island of Maui.
More than 11,000 tourists have been evacuated from Maui, said Ed Sniffen of the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Sixteen routes were closed, but Maui airport remained open and airlines lowered fares to allow for evacuations, he added.
Some people were forced to jump into the Pacific Ocean to escape the smoke and fires, forcing the US Coast Guard to organize rescue operations, according to a statement released by Maui County.
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