Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Watch: Biden visits Maui to meet wildfire survivors

Holly Patrick
Monday 21 August 2023 16:28 BST
Comments
Live: Joe Biden meets Maui wildfire survivors and surveys damage

Watch as Joe Biden visits Maui to meet with wildfire survivors on Monday, 21 August, almost two weeks after blazes devastated Hawaii.

More than 110 people died and over 800 are still missing, according to officials.

The US president paused his vacation in Lake Tahoe to fly to Hawaii where he and first lady Jill Biden will take a helicopter tour of the affected areas.

Mr Biden and Dr Biden visited Lahaina, which was reduced to rubble following a wildfire that broke out on 8 August.

The couple witnessed wildfire damage firsthand and received a briefing from state and local officials.

Mr Biden, who is seeking re-election next year, has been criticised for his response to the fires after going several days without speaking about the tragedy while on holiday at his Delaware beach house.

The US president said he did not want to travel to Maui until he was sure he would not interfere with emergency response efforts.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in