Alarm failure and slow rescue efforts. The US government's inadequate response to the Maui Island fire in Hawaii has sparked anger. | Maui Island | Hawaii Maui Island
According to data released by the state of Hawaii on August 16th, the death toll from the Maui Island fire in the state has risen to 111, with over 1000 people still missing.
The departure and loss of loved ones in the Maui Island fire have caused great grief to the families. Due to the government's ineffective disaster relief efforts, local residents had to spontaneously put out fires, and they were also disappointed and angry about the government's dereliction of duty.
Brenda's mother-in-law lives in the town of La Haina in the heavily affected area of the Maui fire. Now, the house has been destroyed by a big fire, while the mother-in-law is still missing. Brenda's husband just provided his DNA sample for comparison with the victims. They have to accept the reality that the elderly are already more or less unlucky.
Maui resident Brenda: On the day we saw our house gone, we accepted this fact, but we will never give up hope. When he needs to confide, we will care for each other. We will ask "how are you", my husband will say "I'm okay", but I will say "no, you're not good" to him.
A resident of Maui Island stated that they did not receive any official fire alarms or shelter guidance before the fire struck, and many people ran in the wrong direction while hastily seeking refuge, resulting in mistakenly entering the fire.
CBS reporter Jonathan Villetti: So, when you were evacuating, you didn't know you were actually heading towards the direction of the fire?
Residents of Maui Island: I didn't know, I didn't know at that time, until I saw a huge mushroom cloud like black smoke accumulating and getting bigger and bigger. I felt fear and panic that I had never experienced in my life.
After the Maui Island fire, due to delayed rescue efforts, some residents had to adopt a self rescue mode, using water pipes or even bottled water to extinguish the fire. Residents feel disappointed and angry about the government's inadequate response measures in various aspects.
Volunteer: I'm surprised, I really don't know what's going on. Firefighters should be everywhere.
Residents of Maui Island: It is obvious that the government does not attach importance, especially since the United States has various rescue resources.
Marvel Review of the Maui Island Fire in Hawaii: Alarm Failure, Slow Rescue, and People Suffering from the Pain of the Fire
Faced with fires, governments at all levels in the United States have not responded effectively and taken appropriate measures. The following cartoon shows public criticism of the government's inadequate response.
In this cartoon, the staff are sleeping soundly without issuing a fire alarm. The malfunction of the fire alarm system is one of the main reasons for the heavy losses suffered by residents in fires.
The fire has left the heavily affected town of La Haina in ruins. In another cartoon, residents stand next to a pile of ruins in La Haina and cannot help but question, "If we face disasters and cannot rely on federal, state, and local government protection, why do we have to pay taxes?"
