At least 36 people have died after wildfires rampaged through parts of the Hawaiian island of Maui, APA reports citing Sky News.
Maui County confirmed the deaths after fires, fuelled by the wind, swept across the historic town of Lahaina, West Maui - leading to mass evacuations.
"The gravity of losing any life is tragic. As we grieve with their families, we offer prayers for comfort in this inconsolable time," Maui mayor Richard Bissen Jr said.
"Our main focus now is to save lives."
Acting governor Sylvia Luke has declared a state of emergency and has urged people not to travel to the island, describing it as "not a safe place to be".
As winds eased slightly, some aircraft resumed flights, enabling pilots to view the full scope of the devastation.
Smoking heaps of rubble lay piled high next to the waterfront, boats in the harbor were scorched, and grey smoke hovered over the leafless skeletons of charred trees.
More than 270 structures have been damaged or destroyed so far, according to officials in Lahaina.
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