Hawaii fires kill at least 93, officials heavily criticized – rts.ch

93 people were killed in this fire of exceptional intensity and speed. A figure is bound to increase because only a small portion of the burnt area can be excavated. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier acknowledged that “none of us know yet” the extent of the devastation.

Of the shops, hotels, buildings and restaurants that made up the charm of Lahaina, a coastal town of 13,000 people, there are almost none. A majestic banyan tree, a tourist attraction, was lickt by the flames but seems to have survived. It now stands alone among the ruins.

Controversial environment

In this desolate landscape, residents seek to understand how the drama could take on such proportions. Justice: An inquiry has been opened by authorities into crisis management.

Death toll from Hawaii wildfires rises to 80 [Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources via AP]

Maui experienced several power outages during the crisis and the 911 emergency number stopped working in parts of the island, while fire alarm sirens were not activated.

Alerts usually sent by phone were not received because there was “no network” and “obviously, we didn’t provide backup solutions to ensure the safety of citizens,” Hawaii Democratic Rep. Jill Toguda acknowledged Saturday. CNN channel.

“We underestimated the danger and speed of the fire,” she lamented. “We need to improve.”

One of the worst disasters ever

With at least 89 deaths, the number of these fires exceeds that of the 1960 tsunami, which killed 61 people on Hawaii Island.

And the archipelago had not finished counting its dead. Search and rescue teams with dogs arrived on Maui to look for possible bodies, according to the county.

According to the federal agency responsible for responding to natural disasters (Fema), 2,200 buildings, mostly residences, were destroyed or damaged.

For the Lahaina Fire alone, reconstruction costs are estimated at $5.52 billion.

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