Elderly Pinoy among fatalities in Hawaii wildfire

Michael Punongbayan(The Philippine Star)

August 19, 2023 - 12:00am

A member of the search and recovery team, accompanied by a cadaver dog, checks charred buildings and cars in the aftermath of the fires in Lahaina, West Maui in Hawaii on Aug. 17. At least 111 people died when the inferno leveled Lahaina last week, with some residents not aware their town was at risk until they saw flames for themselves. Inset shows 79-year-old Alfredo Galinato, whom the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed was among those who died in the wildfires. Galinato, a naturalized US citizen, was a native of Ilocos.

AFP

MANILA, Philippines — A 79-year-old Filipino who was a naturalized US citizen has been confirmed to have died in the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the family of Alfredo Galinato, a native of Ilocos, is now receiving assistance from the Philippine consulate.

“The DFA confirms the death of a Filipino national in the Hawaii wildfires. He was a naturalized US citizen originally from Ilocos,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said.

“The Philippine consulate in Honolulu is assisting the family who are all based in Hawaii,” De Vega added.

The Hawaii wildfires, considered the deadliest in the US in decades, have claimed the lives of over a hundred people.

Governor Josh Green earlier expressed fears that the number of fatalities may double as emergency responders continue to search burned homes and vehicles.

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