- The Maui wildfire has caused multiple deaths and loss of billions of dollars in property.
- A video from the devastating fire surfaced on the internet that sparked a debate among netizens.
- Authorities are trying their best to rescue people while the wildfires cause further destruction.
A wildfire that started on the island of Maui, Hawaii, has caused massive destruction, raising the death toll to 55. According to authorities, around 1000 people are still missing because the wildfires caused loss of contact.
Since the authorities cannot contact the missing people, they are unsure whether those people are alive or not. The death toll kept increasing on Thursday as 17 people were reported dead during the day, while two more were killed by the fire at night.
Wildfires engulf trees and property in Maui, Hawaii | Source: facebook.com/USA TODAY
Since the wildfires started, Maui Island has been a subject of interest for the media. Several news outlets have reported the incident, while people on social media shared videos of the devastating incident.
The wildfires in Maui, Hawaii | Source: youtube.com/PBS NewsHour
A video that surfaced online showed how people reacted while surrounded by thick smoke and blazing fire. The short clip sparked a debate between netizens who shared what they would do in a similar situation.
Did We Lose Our Humanity?
The video was filmed inside a car where some people were seen traveling on a road while the blazing fire engulfed the surrounding area. While driving forward, the people spotted a woman on the ground who needed help.
Instead of leaving their vehicle to help the woman, the people chose to drive away. “Somebody’s down!” one man said in the video, to which another man replied, “Just go there. We cannot do nothing for her.”
The people in the vehicle were shocked to see the woman, but one man kept saying there was nothing they could do to help her. When netizens watched the video, they expressed their opinions in the comments section on social media. Some people thought the people in the video did the right thing by leaving the woman on the street, while others said they could have easily saved her.
A user’s comment on FOX 26 Houston’s YouTube video | Source: youtube.com/FOX 26 Houston
“That’s absolutely terrible. No respect for fellow human beings,” one user commented, while another said, “30 seconds to grab her and throw her in the car.” Similar remarks were posted in the video’s comments section, where netizens felt the people could have helped the woman.
A user’s comment on FOX 26 Houston’s YouTube video | Source: youtube.com/FOX 26 Houston
A user’s comment on FOX 26 Houston’s YouTube video | Source: youtube.com/FOX 26 Houston
Meanwhile, an online user supported the people in the video by saying, “Keep in mind that during any fire, people are gonna be in a panic state and won’t be thinking clearly but thinking on a basic survival instinct.” The user added:
“I’m inclined to cut the guys some slack.”
A user’s comment on FOX 26 Houston’s YouTube video | Source: youtube.com/FOX 26 Houston
A user’s comment on FOX 26 Houston’s YouTube video | Source: youtube.com/FOX 26 Houston
A user’s comment on FOX 26 Houston’s YouTube video | Source: youtube.com/FOX 26 Houston
Netizens were divided after watching the video because some people thought they would have reacted differently if they saw a woman on the ground, while others felt they would have driven past her.
What Is Happening in Maui?
Deadly wildfires still engulf the Aloha State, and the damages, including loss of human lives and property, are expected to rise. According to Governor Josh Green, the incident can turn into the worst disaster in the history of Hawaii.
An aerial photo taken on August 10, 2023 shows the damage caused by the wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii. | Source: Getty Images
Green explained the challenges the authorities face as they try to rescue people. He said, “Here’s the challenge: there’s no power, no internet, no phone, no radio. You compound some of that. So when we’re speaking to our officers, we need them to get a sat phone.”
The wildfires have since destroyed over 1700 buildings, and according to Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, the town is “all burnt to the ground.” The wildfire continues to destroy property while authorities are working hard to help people evacuate the area.
Click here to read another story about a woman who sparked controversy after refusing to surrender the window seat to a mother and her two children during a flight.
