Hawaii wildfires claim 106 lives, casualties anticipated to increase

author: FutureCar Staff    

Authorities in Maui have confirmed that the death toll from the wildfires that devastated the resort town of Lahaina has risen to 106. Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing, and the recovery and identification work is being carried out in the charred disaster zone.

The office of Maui County released a statement on Tuesday, stating that they have identified three individuals who are pending next of kin notification. They have recovered 106 human remains, which are awaiting identification. Mayor Richard Bissen expressed his condolences to the families who are starting to receive notifications about their loved ones.

State Governor Josh Green warned that the death toll is expected to increase significantly, urging Hawaiians to prepare for a number that could be two or three times its current level. The US Department of Health and Human Services has deployed a team to assist in identifying victims and processing remains.

DNA samples have been collected from 41 people whose relatives are missing. The island's police chief has stated that many of the bodies are unrecognizable due to the severity of the blaze. Greene emphasized that the mission will be challenging, and patience will be crucial due to the number of victims.

The county has released the names of two victims, Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79. Three additional victims have been identified, but their names will be released once they are identified. Residents who are eager to return to their homes have expressed frustration at the bans that prevent them from entering Lahaina.

Officials have warned about the dangers of unstable buildings and potential airborne toxic chemicals in the area. They have also reported one arrest for trespassing. Over 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed by fire, and more than 3,000 buildings were affected by fire or smoke.

The police placard system, which was intended to allow people back into Lahaina, was suspended shortly after it started, causing chaos. Governor Green has cautioned against any attempts at a land grab in the devastated town, as there are concerns that developers might take advantage of the situation.

The exact cause of the wildfires is under investigation, and questions have been raised about the authorities' preparedness and response. Some fire hydrants ran dry during the early stages of the wildfire, and multiple warning systems failed to activate. A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Hawaiian Electric, claiming that the company should have shut off its power lines to minimize the risk of fire.

FutureCar Staff