Heartbreaking footage shows what's left of historic town of Lahaina after Hawaii wildfires burn it to ground
Topics: US News
Claire Reid
Featured Image Credit: Storyful/Richie Olsten
Topics: US News
Shocking aerial footage shows the devastation caused after wildfire tore through the historic town of Lahaina in Hawaii leaving more than 30 people dead.
At least 36 people have died and dozens more injured, after the wildfires, which were fanned by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, blazed through the night forcing adults and children to dive into the ocean for safety.
A statement from Maui county said: “As the firefighting efforts continue, 36 total fatalities have been discovered today amid the active Lahaina fire.
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“No other details are available at this time.”
Heartbreaking aerial footage was caught by Richie Olsten, director of operations for a helicopter tour operator.
The video shows extensive damage in Lahaina Harbor with few buildings left standing and smoke and haze billowing up.
In the clip, Olsten can be heard saying: “Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. Unbelievable. This looks like Baghdad or something. Are you guys believing that?
“This is heartbreaking. Oh, my gosh.”
Olsten told PA that the area looked like a ‘bomb had gone off’ and that he was left with tears in his eyes.
He said: “It’s horrifying. I’ve flown here 52 years and I’ve never seen anything come close to that. We had tears in our eyes, the other pilots on board and the mechanics and me.
“We never thought we’d experience anything like this in our whole life.”
Officials earlier said that 271 structures were damaged or destroyed and dozens of people were injured; while the Coast Guard said it rescued 14 people who jumped into the water to escape flames and smoke, including two children.
A Maui county spokesperson said that assessing the full extent of the damage could take months.
President Joe Biden said he had ordered all available federal assets to help with the response. He said the Hawaii National Guard had mobilised Chinook helicopters to help with fire suppression as well as search and rescue efforts on Maui.
He added: “Our prayers are with those who have seen their homes, businesses, and communities destroyed.”
Former US president Barack Obama, who was born in Hawaii, said in a statement: “It’s tough to see some of the images coming out of Hawaii - a place that’s so special to so many of us. Michelle and I are thinking of everyone who has lost a loved one, or whose life has been turned upside down.”