Maui Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 99 as Hawaii Governor Predicts it Will Rise by 10 to 20 Each Day
Amid the ongoing efforts to locate survivors and victims of the devastating wildfires that have wreaked havoc in Maui, Hawaii, Governor Josh Green has issued a sobering warning. Green cautioned that the death toll could see an increase of 10 to 20 individuals per day in the coming days.
During an interview with CBS, Governor Green acknowledged the grim reality of the situation, stating, “We are prepared for many tragic stories… They will find 10 to 20 people per day, probably, until they finish. And it’s probably going to take 10 days. It’s impossible to guess, really.”
As firefighters continue their relentless battle to contain the flare-ups, local authorities are collaborating closely with federal agencies to identify those who lost their lives in the wildfires.
The extent of the devastation has been staggering, with the death toll currently standing at 99 individuals. This grim statistic makes these wildfires the deadliest in modern US history.
However, identifying the victims has proven to be a challenging task due to the severe condition of their remains after the fire. In response, Maui police chief John Pelletier has called on residents who have missing family members to contribute their DNA samples to aid in the identification process.
The search and recovery operations have faced significant challenges due to the harsh conditions in the affected areas. Despite the difficulties, cadaver dogs have managed to cover only about 3 per cent of the search area so far. Their efforts are set to continue in the upcoming week as they tirelessly work to bring closure to the families affected by this tragedy.
