“Significant Drop in Missing List as Maui Wildfire Survivors Contact Authorities”
– The number of people still unaccounted for after the devastating Maui wildfire has decreased significantly due to the efforts of authorities and survivors themselves.
– The County of Maui published a list of 388 missing individuals, but many of them have since contacted officials to inform them that they are safe and in secure locations.
Elaboration:
Authorities and survivors in Maui have made significant progress in reducing the number of missing individuals after the destructive wildfire. The efforts of both parties have played a crucial role in accounting for more people affected by the blaze.
Earlier this week, the County of Maui released a list of 388 names of people who were missing following the wildfire, which is considered the worst in the US in a century. However, many individuals on the list have now been confirmed safe and sound. They reached out to officials through phone or email to notify them that they had survived the fire and were in secure locations.
Steven Merrill, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Honolulu, expressed gratitude for those who had contacted authorities, stating, “We’re very thankful for the people who have reached out by phone or email.” As individuals are removed from the missing list, resources can be redirected towards locating those still unaccounted for. The FBI is currently verifying information provided by survivors and updating the list accordingly.
Some survivors who were initially listed as missing expressed confusion and frustration over their inclusion. They claimed to be unaware of why they were on the list or how to be removed from it. Authorities explained that they published the list to ensure no one in need of help was overlooked. Police Chief John Pelletier emphasized their commitment to conducting a thorough investigation, stating, “This is not an easy thing to do, but we want to make sure that we are doing everything we can.”
While progress has been made, search and rescue operations continue as the death toll from the fire remains at 115 and is expected to rise. The wildfire caused extensive destruction, including the loss of hundreds of homes and businesses, and forced thousands of people to evacuate. As of Tuesday, officials have completed searches of all single-family homes and are now focusing on multi-story buildings, both residential and commercial.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com (1693101615)