Hawaii, Aug 13 : The Maui County government has updated the death toll from wildfires in Hawaii to 93, as of Sunday, with only two of the deceased identified.
Earlier the day, Hawaii Governor Josh Green put the death toll at 89, telling media that it made the Hawaii wildfires the deadliest in US history.
“The number of confirmed fatalities increased to 93, with two of them identified,” the Maui Country government said in a situation update.
The wildfires in Hawaii broke out due to dry and hot weather and are exacerbated by strong winds brought by Hurricane Dora. Some fires cover an area of 400 hectares (988 acres). The fire destroyed several settlements, including the popular tourist town of Lahaina. The authorities are forced to block roads and suspend public transport. Hundreds of local residents were evacuated from the area.
On Thursday, US President Joe Biden officially declared a major disaster in Hawaii, which unlocks additional federal resources to help combat ongoing wildfires on the islands