Hawaii: In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that struck Hawaii, a “validated list” of 388 missing individuals has been compiled by the FBI. This list, created in collaboration with cell phone data, aims to identify the whereabouts of victims during the catastrophic wildfires, which marked the deadliest wildfire disaster in the US in over a century.
The Maui County, acknowledging the sensitive nature of releasing the names, stated that the list is being shared to aid the ongoing investigation. The Police Chief, John Pelletier, expressed understanding that the publication of names might cause pain to those with loved ones listed, but emphasized the importance of conducting a comprehensive and thorough investigation.
Collaborating with various agencies, the FBI has been working to eliminate duplicate entries in the list of missing persons, as revealed by Hawaii Governor Josh Green.
The wildfires, fueled by powerful winds, ravaged Maui Island, particularly impacting the historic town of Lahaina. The fire left the town in ruins, reducing neighborhoods and businesses to ashes. The disaster prompted search teams and cadaver dogs to conduct thorough searches of single-story homes in the affected area. The efforts have since expanded to include multi-story residences and commercial properties.