A raging wildfire that swept through a town on the Hawaiian island of Maui this week has killed at least 89 people, making it the deadliest US wildfire of the past century.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said that the number would continue to rise.
"There are 89 fatalities that have been measured," he said at a news conference. "Its going to continue to rise. We want to brace people for that." Search and recovery crews were continuing to comb through fire-scorched communities, including historic Lahaina town in West Maui, where the worst of the fires struck swiftly after the blazes began Tuesday.
Officials in Maui said that up to 4,500 people need shelter.
According to officials, the wildfires, which are now the countrys worst in terms of casualties in more than 100 years, could end up being the deadliest disaster in the states history.
Source: Qatar News Agency