At least six were killed and thousands displaced. The fires ravaged the American archipelago in Hawaii, affecting mainly the island of Maui. Fueled by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, which swept across the Pacific Ocean, fires destroyed businesses and homes. Some citizens jumped into the sea to escape the flames.
The resort town of Lahaina on Maui’s west coast was hit hardest and was largely destroyed by the flames. “This is a very sad day,” Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said while confirming the victims to the press. said.
The wind has knocked down many utility poles and communication is difficult. This greatly complicates the task of the emergency services: in some parts of the island even the 911 emergency service does not work.
According to Maui County, more than 2,100 people have been taken to emergency centers and nearly two thousand tourists await evacuation at Kahului airport.
The wildfire engulfed businesses on Front Street, where 12,000 people live in downtown Lahaina in West Maui.
The Coast Guard intervenes in people who had to enter the ocean because of the flames.
Video credit to Alan Dikar, a local resident of Lahaina. pic.twitter.com/8uiyHQP55B
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) 9 August 2023
The National Guard was mobilized, and US President Joe Biden announced the mobilization of “all available federal resources” in the archipelago to fight the fires.
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.