100 people killed in Hawaii, residents outraged by Biden

Jakarta, Klinik Farma – The death toll from the wildfire in the city of Lahaina, Hawaii, United States (USA) on Tuesday (15/08/2023) reached more than 100 people. This was announced by the state governor Josh Green.

Green has repeatedly warned that the death toll will rise significantly, at least two or three times the current number. The disaster was the deadliest wildfire in the US in more than a century.

“In total, 101 people died,” he said. AFP, Wednesday (08/16/2023).

As a result of the skyrocketing death toll, Hawaiian authorities have also set up an emergency morgue to deal with the tragedy. Now, the refrigerated container has been used as a makeshift mortuary by the Maui police forensics office since Tuesday.

Greene also warned of land grab attempts on Lahaina’s remains. Now locals fear that any developer with deep pockets could take advantage of the tragedy by trying to buy land for luxury housing.

“Our goal is to permanently maintain local commitment to this community as we recover,” he said.

“Therefore, we will do everything possible so that this land does not fall into the hands of people from outside,” he added.

Lots of charred bodies

On the other hand, the process of identifying the dead is admittedly very complicated. Officials said they had collected DNA samples from 41 people whose relatives went missing.

So far, only four of the dead have been identified. Maui County officials said they would only release their names after they were confident the families had been notified.

“Many of the bodies were so badly charred that they could not be identified, the flames were so strong,” the island’s police chief said.

There are other problems as well. Where desperate residents urgently want to return to their homes to check abandoned houses.

But this is forbidden by the government. It was unpleasant then in Lahaina.

Pictured: A burning van is seen at the Ho’Onanea condominium complex in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, USA on August 10, 2023. (REUTERS/STAFF) A burning van at the Ho’Onanea condominium complex in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, USA on August 10, 2023. (REUTERS/Jorge Garcia)

Officials warn that there is a danger of destabilizing buildings and the possible presence of toxic chemicals in the air in the area. Authorities even made one arrest for a misdemeanor on Monday.

Citizens outraged by Biden

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden is now in the spotlight. He was accused of not caring about Hawaii and putting them under the problem of Ukraine.

This was stated by former Congressman from Texas Ron Paul. He said Biden asked for billions of US dollars for Ukraine while his own country was being destroyed.

“It’s hard to watch footage of the devastation on Maui and then hear President Biden tell Congress he needs another $24 billion for Ukraine,” Paul said. menafn.

“How can this administration continue to justify tens of billions of dollars in these losing wars that are not in our best interest while the rest of the US lies in ruins?” he added.

Wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, Tuesday local time. Reuters noted that the warning siren did not sound during the fire happen.

In total, 2,200 buildings were destroyed by fire. Material losses are believed to have reached US$5.5 billion.

Yesterday’s trial class action a lawsuit was also filed against Hawaiian Electric, the state’s largest utility company. The plaintiffs allege that the company should have shut down its power lines to reduce the risk of fire.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]