At least 53 people have been confirmed dead in the devastating hurricane-driven Hawaii wildfire, authorities said on Thursday.
“As firefighting efforts continue, 17 additional fatalities have been confirmed today amid the active Lahaina fire. This brings the death toll to 53 people,” Hawaii’s Maui Island County wrote in a statement posted to the county website.
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Search and rescue operations are ongoing, as US officials anticipate that Hawaii wildfires will become the state’s deadliest natural disaster since a 1961 tsunami killed 61 people on the Big Island, AP reported.
More than 1,000 structures were destroyed by fires, that was fueled by dry conditions and strong winds from a passing hurricane.
