August 10

 

Wildfires on the island of Maui in Hawaii have left at least six people dead and forced more than 2,100 people to evacuate.

 

Wildfires broke out on multiple islands in Hawaii on Tuesday morning and spread rapidly due to strong winds from a hurricane passing to the south of the island chain.

 

On the island of Maui, flames reached the center of the tourist town of Lahaina -- once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

 

Local media report that a Japanese Buddhist temple and a large tree more than 100 years old that is the symbol of the town caught fire.

 

The US Coast Guard says 12 people have been rescued so far after fleeing into the ocean to escape the fire's smoke.

 

Wildfire also broke out on Hawaii Island on Tuesday. Tourists and residents were evacuated in the Mauna Kea Resort area.

 

Firefighting and rescue operations continue on the islands.

 

NHK