In one of the deadliest wildfires to strike the United States in over a century, Hawaii’s forest fires have claimed the lives of at least 100 people as flames continue to spread rapidly. Authorities fear the death toll may double or even triple, with rescue crews expecting to discover an additional 10 to 20 victims daily.
Image source: CNN
These unprecedented fires, characterized by their intensity and speed of spread, have already claimed the lives of 96 individuals in Maui, as reported by an interim count released on Sunday. Identifying the remains has proven to be a challenging task.
Search and rescue teams, aided by police dogs, are still covering vast areas in the ongoing effort to locate missing individuals, which could number in the hundreds. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier stated, “We are pressing forward as fast as we can, but it’s worth noting that the dogs have only covered 3% of the area.”
During an interview with CBS on Monday, Governor Josh Green of Hawaii stated, “Rescue workers are likely to find between 10 to 20 individuals daily until their search efforts conclude. This process could potentially take up to 10 days.” He stressed that estimating the final death toll is “impossible.”
The devastation caused by the wildfires has transformed Lahaina, the former seat of Hawaii’s royal family, into ruins, with its vibrant hotels and restaurants reduced to ashes.
As mobile phone networks gradually recover, residents have been able to reach out to their loved ones and friends. Governor Green noted that the number of people still reported missing has decreased from over 2,000 to approximately 1,300.
