Washington, 10 August 2023 (dpa/MIA) - At least 36 people have been confirmed dead in the wildfire on Hawaii's Maui island, Maui County said in a statement on its website late Wednesday.

"As the firefighting efforts continue, 36 total fatalities have been discovered today amid the active Lahaina fire. No other details are available at this time," the brief statement said.

Earlier Wednesday, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen had put the death toll at six.

Witnesses described apocalyptic scenes in the hard-hit coastal town of Lahaina, a picturesque destination popular with tourists visiting the US archipelago in the Pacific. People resorted to jumping into the sea to flee from the rapidly spreading flames.

Hundreds of buildings in Lahaina's historic town centre were destroyed, officials said.

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