The Hawaii fires have already killed 67 people and the toll will rise

The survivors begin to return to Lahaina, the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, almost destroyed by flames, covering the face of their city in ashes. They say they can only trust the “coconut network,” William denounced Harry, in other words, word of mouth and rumours.

“Where is the government? Where are they?” asked another, who did not want to be named. The island of Maui experienced multiple power outages during the crisis and the 911 emergency number stopped working in parts of the island.

The simultaneous presence of multiple fires also divided the efforts of firefighters. Residents in Lahaina were so shocked that dozens jumped into the ocean to escape the fire, according to the Coast Guard.

The flames reduced the town of Lahaina to ashes. [Patrick T. Fallon – AFP]

No sirens

In this controversial environment, Hawaii’s General Counsel, Anne Lopez, launched an investigation into crisis management. “My services are committed to understanding the decisions made before and after fires and sharing the results of these audits with the public,” the magistrate announced in a press release.

The sirens that should sound in the event of a fire were not activated, a spokesperson for the agency responsible for crisis management in Hawaii confirmed to CNN. He said alerts were sent to residents’ mobile phones and broadcast on radio and television.

The disaster was one of the worst in the archipelago’s recent history. With 67 dead, the provisional toll is already higher than the 1960 tsunami that killed 61 in Hawaii. “There will undoubtedly be more deaths,” Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned CNN.

Federal authorities will send dogs to help rescuers search for possible bodies under the rubble.

>> Read More: At least 53 people have been killed in a devastating fire in Hawaii where the National Guard was deployed

Pile of ashes

Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier said Thursday that up to 1,000 people may be missing. This does not mean they are officially missing or dead, however, he stressed.

The town of Lahaina had 12,000 residents before it was engulfed in flames. An AFP journalist noted that countless homes, businesses and cars were reduced to piles of ash.

Survivors will return to the city from Friday afternoon to find this bombed area. Among them, Anthony La Puente found his house reduced to an even hotter pile of ash, in the midst of which a timpani had miraculously survived.

Three active fires

After living in the house for 16 years, “it’s hard not being able to find the things you grew up with, the things you remember,” she told AFP. “It hurts. It affects you emotionally.”

President Joe Biden spoke with Gov. Josh Green, the White House said Friday. Democrats declared a state of natural disaster in Hawaii on Thursday, making it possible to release significant federal aid to fund relief, emergency accommodation and reconstruction efforts.

The fire was fueled by high winds from Hurricane Dora, which is currently crossing the Pacific Ocean. Three fires, including one near Lahaina, were still active on Maui Friday.

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Agencies/Friend/Wajo