The island’s mayor Richard Bissen says at a press conference that the authorities fear more casualties.
— We are still in a situation where we are looking for people in need, so I don’t know where the number will end.
Maui’s capital Lahaina on the island’s west side has been hit hard by the fires that have been raging for days, and Hawaii state Governor Josh Green says large parts of the city have been destroyed.
On Tuesday, the authorities declared a state of emergency, among other things to be able to stop flights with tourists from landing on the island. Over 2,000 tourists are at the airport waiting to be evacuated.
About 30 people are officially injured, but even that number is expected to rise.
— We have to fly people out to give them care, especially for burns, says Deputy Governor Sylvia Luke to CNN and states that the hospitals “are overflowing with burn victims and patients with respiratory problems”.
It is not yet known how many people are in danger, as virtually all telephony is down. Many have saved themselves by venturing into the waters around the island, and the Coast Guard has rescued at least 14 people who swam out into the Pacific Ocean.