Advanced DNA testing leads authorities to reduce Maui fire death toll from 115 to 97
The number of people who died in the massive wildfires that burned parts of Maui last month has been reduced to 97 from 115, Hawaii’s governor said Friday. The change in death toll was caused by advanced genetic testing conducted by Defense Department anthropologists, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. “They were able to ensure that we didn’t tragically mix any of the people we lost. For example, in a car where there could have been several people – at first you would have thought there were eight people, but instead there were five,” Green explained. Thirty-one people were still missing Friday after fires devastated many communities in Maui County. But that number could also fall since 23 people died in the fires and have not yet been identified, the governor added. These people are likely included in the count of 31 people. The fires spread erratically on August 8, nearly destroying the historic town of Lahaina. People were forced to jump into the sea as flames pursued them, displacing hundreds of residents. The tragedy was followed by days of work as teams dug through the rubble of former homes, businesses and historic landmarks in the hope of finding any signs of life or a body. As the state plans to reopen West Maui on Oct. 8, it is working to move more than 7,400 people from hotels to long-term housing, the governor said. “We’re not expecting a lot of people at first, although I was just with some travel managers and they said that people around the world are gathering to come and help us recover,” Green said, adding that Tourists must be “friendly and respectful” during their visit. The Environmental Protection Agency is also working to clear hazardous materials from the disaster area on Maui. The first zones that will be accessible for residents to return are expected to be announced next week, Maui County said in a news release Friday. Residents and property owners will be required to obtain re-entry permits beginning Sept. 22, county officials said in the news release. “Re-entry into these zones is expected to begin on Monday, September 25, with residents escorted to properties and provided with personal protective equipment for the first two visits,” the release said.
The number of people who died in the massive wildfires that burned parts of Maui last month has been reduced to 97 from 115, Hawaii’s governor said Friday.
The change in death toll was caused by advanced genetic testing conducted by Defense Department anthropologists, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.
“They were able to ensure that we didn’t tragically mix any of the people we lost. For example, in a car where there could have been several people – at first you would have thought there were eight people, but instead there were five,” Green explained.
Thirty-one people were still missing Friday after fires devastated many communities in Maui County. But that number could also fall since 23 people died in the fires and have not yet been identified, the governor added. These people are likely included in the 31 count.
The fires began spreading erratically on August 8, nearly destroying the historic town of Lahaina. People were forced to jump into the sea as flames pursued them, displacing hundreds of residents. The tragedy was followed by days of work as teams dug through the rubble of former homes, businesses and historic landmarks in the hope of finding any signs of life or a body.
As the state plans to reopen West Maui on Oct. 8, it is working to move more than 7,400 people from hotels to long-term housing, the governor said.
“We’re not expecting a lot of people at first, although I was just with some travel managers and they said that people around the world are gathering to come and help us recover,” Green said, adding that Tourists must be “friendly and respectful” during their visit.
The Environmental Protection Agency is also working to clear hazardous materials from the disaster area on Maui.
The first zones that will be accessible for residents to return are expected to be announced next week, Maui County said in a news release Friday.
Residents and property owners will be required to obtain re-entry permits beginning Sept. 22, county officials said in the news release.
“Re-entry into these zones is expected to begin on Monday, September 25, with residents escorted to properties and provided with personal protective equipment for the first two visits,” the release said.
