The mayor of Maui, Hawaii, threatened to end a press conference when asked how many children made up the total death toll of the devastating Lahaina wildfire.
In viral footage circulating on social media, Mayor Richard Bissen angered residents and members of the press when he claimed he could provide no estimate for the number of children who could have perished in the fire.
After ten days of devastating fire in Maui the mayor, Richard Bissen couldn’t give an answer how many kids are missing.
Honestly what is going on in Maui?
Why is there no answers or accountability? pic.twitter.com/R0xjxVukMc— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) August 20, 2023
“I don’t know, I wish I knew the answer,” Bissen told a man who asked about the number of children missing.
“Yes you do,” the man told Bissen, going on to repeat his question, “How many children are missing?”
Again, Bissen said he could not provide an answer.
“You have no estimate as to how many children are missing?” another person asked.
This time, Bissen responded, “I guess we can end this right now,” prompting a slew of backlash from residents and media in attendance.
