After many days of doom and gloom from Hawaii Maui County authorities are reporting in recent hours that increasingly large portions of the deadly wildfires have been brought under control. the fire, which almost completely destroyed the city of Lahaina in the west of the island it is now 85% contained while the fire in the interior of the island of Maui has been brought under full control.

The wildfires are the worst in US history for at least 100 years, according to the governor of Hawaii Josh Green, who in his statements considered it a given that the number of victims will increase: “This is the biggest natural disaster in our history. So far the death toll has reached 96. Over 2,700 buildings were destroyed in Lahaina with property damage estimated at around to $5.6 billion. We focus on searching for missing people knowing that their loved ones are suffering. Since the outbreak of the fires, we have been doing everything in our power, using every means to try to relieve those affected.”

“We saw the destruction in the car mirror”

The small town of Lahaina, which before the disaster had 13,000 inhabitants, is at the center of the disaster. American media are talking about images reminiscent of a war zone. Hundreds of residents have taken temporary shelter in schools and hospitals.

“It was all so terrifying,” says one young mother: “We saw everything burning looking in the car mirror as we were leaving the area where our house was. Everyone was telling us to get away, but we ended up staying in the area to the point where we weren’t in danger.” Another woman says: “It’s a beautiful neighborhood full of ‘aloha’ (love, in the native language). People lost everything, not only their homes, but also their businesses. They left with only their clothes.”

In the meantime, the public debate continues in the US about possible failure or inaction of the competent authorities, which are accused by the victims of not warning in time so that they could leave their homes in an orderly manner. Maui residents accuse the authorities of not using the warning sirens that exist on the island, as well as that Lahaina is only accessible by a wide road, making it difficult for fire and rescue vehicles to work. Responding to residents’ complaints, Hawaii Senator Maisie Hirono told CNN: “I understand the anger. We are all in a state of shock. But I believe that the authorities are on the ground and doing everything they can to help the affected areas.”