By Pamela Cruz | Peninsula 360 Press
The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the death of two Mexican citizens in the wildfires that devastated portions of Maui, Hawaii, and expressed its deepest condolences to their families and friends.
Personnel from the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco who are on the island are already in contact with the families to provide them with the necessary assistance and support, officials noted.
They are also already in communication with local authorities to confirm the procedures and protocols to follow, due to the ongoing emergency situation on the island.
Consulate General personnel have been in Maui since last Saturday, August 12, to provide direct attention, issue emergency passports and other identity documents, as well as to orient and channel them to the appropriate resources provided by U.S. authorities.
“The Government of Mexico reiterates its commitment and priority to provide comprehensive consular assistance and protection to Mexican persons in Maui, and conveys its condolences to the affected families,” the statement read.
As of Tuesday, August 15, the number of deaths from the fires confirmed by Maui authorities was 106. Local police identified two of them as Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, both from Lahaina.
Three others have been identified, and police said their names will be released when their families are notified. To provide DNA samples to assist in identification, family members can go to the Family Assistance Center, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kahului Community Center.
As the fires caused by Hurricane Dora continue to burn in Maui, the Mexican authorities asked Mexican nationals to follow the instructions given by local authorities, and in cases requiring consular assistance, to contact the Mexican Consulate in San Francisco through its X, Facebook or Instagram account, @ConsulmexSFO, by phone at 650 501 7915, or by email at consfrancisco@sre.gob.mx.
