Officials announced Thursday that the death toll from Maui wildfires now stands at 53, making it one of the deadliest blazes in the last century.
The new fatality count is a significant jump from the 36 confirmed dead on Wednesday, a day after the fire ignited, sending the historic tourist destination town of Lahaina up in flames. The death toll has increased as rescuers have been able to reach parts of the island previously inaccessible due to fires and other obstructions.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
[Written in collaboration with other media outlets with information from the following sources]