We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the devastating wildfire that broke out on January 7 near the western and northern areas of Los Angeles, California, USA.
This wildfire has reportedly destroyed over 9,000 buildings, displaced approximately 153,000 people, and has the potential to become one of the largest wildfires in the country’s history. As of January 11, 16 people have tragically lost their lives, with many others still unaccounted for. We offer our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and express our heartfelt sympathies to the injured, their families, and everyone affected by this disaster.
Currently, our university is home to 15 students from the United States, and we are closely monitoring the situation through our ties with partner institutions, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which is located near the affected area. We understand that UCLA has transitioned to remote classes as part of its emergency response. Additionally, the University of Southern California, another of our international partner universities, is also located in Los Angeles. We sincerely hope that the damage will not spread further.
We earnestly pray for the swift containment of the wildfire and for the affected communities to return to normalcy.
January 13, 2025
Mitsuo Ochi
President
Hiroshima University