Death toll rises to 53 in Hawaii’s Maui wildfires

SAN FRANCISCO - At least 53 people have been confirmed dead in the wildfire on Hawaii's Maui island, Maui County said in a statement on its website, reported German news agency (dpa).

"As firefighting efforts continue, 17 additional fatalities have been confirmed today amid the active Lahaina fire. This brings the death toll to 53 people," the brief statement said.

Witnesses described apocalyptic scenes in the hard-hit coastal town of Lahaina, a picturesque destination popular with tourists visiting the US archipelago in the Pacific. People resorted to jumping into the sea to flee from the rapidly spreading flames. Hundreds of buildings in Lahaina's historic town centre were destroyed, officials said.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden on Thursday approved a major disaster declaration for Hawaii in the wake of the devastating hurricane-driven wildfires that damaged or destroyed hundreds of structures on Hawaii's Maui Island, reported Xinhua.

Biden ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires beginning on Tuesday and continuing, said the White House in a press release, adding that the action will make federal funding available to affected individuals in Maui County.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programmes to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster, according to the press release. -BERNAMA-AGENCIES