The official death count stemming from the catastrophic Maui wildfire has now surged to 106 individuals.
The recent rise in fatalities was confirmed in an official update released by Maui County on Tuesday, also disclosing that a mere five victims have been positively identified thus far.
Hawaii’s Governor, Josh Green, disclosed in an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Monday that the verified fatality total stood at 99 people.
The first reports of the devastating Maui wildfire emerged on August 8th, targeting the regions of Lahaina and Kula on the island.
On Tuesday, as per a statement on the Maui County Facebook page, the Kula fire was contained by 75 percent, while the Lahaina fire was 85 percent contained, having ravaged approximately 2,170 acres. Further, on the same day, the Maui County and the Maui Police Department disclosed the identities of two victims: Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, both from Lahaina.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen conveyed condolences to affected families, stating, “We offer our deepest condolences to the families who are beginning to receive notifications about their loved ones,” Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement. “As a community, we offer our prayers of comfort in this most difficult time.”
Authorities have identified three more individuals, and their names are pending release once their families are notified. Tragically, one family informed local media outlet Hawaii News Now that they lost four members attempting to escape the inferno.
The Number of Deaths May Continue to Rise
Governor Green cautioned that the death toll could still climb notably, as a substantial portion of the search areas remains to be scoured.
“Over the course of the next several weeks, we’ll be able to confirm who passed away. But it’s going to be very difficult going,” Green acknowledged.
Governor Green also shared that many deaths occurred along a coastal highway in western Maui.
“I think many of the fatalities that we’ll ultimately discover, a higher percentage will be from there,” he noted, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the house searches. He added, “We’re hopeful and praying that it’s not large, large numbers.”
“A lot of people had to run and left all they had behind. They don’t have their phones – the phones are incinerated,” Green further revealed.
Presently, there are 185 members participating in search and recovery operations, according to the governor.
In response to the catastrophe, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell arrived in Hawaii, following President Joe Biden’s directive. During a press conference on Monday, she articulated, “Nothing can prepare you for what I saw during my time here, and nothing can prepare them for the emotional toll of the impact that this severe event has taken on them.”
“The coming days and the weeks, they’re going to be tough,” she continued, acknowledging the process of grieving and rebuilding. “But we are going to be with the people of Hawaii, as I have committed to the governor, every step of the way.”
Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reveal that Maui wildfire constitute the deadliest in over a century within the United States.
Amanda Bratton, 28, a resident of Lahaina who was in Georgia planning her wedding during the fire outbreak, shared her devastation. “Our whole town, jobs house, and entire community – all wiped away,” she lamented. Drawing a poignant comparison, she likened the tragedy to 9/11, grappling with the unexpected obliteration of an entire town.