In the wake of the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui, County Mayor Richard Bissen has reported that more than 850 people are still missing. While there’s some relief in finding over 1,200 individuals who were initially listed as missing, Mr. Bissen cautioned that these numbers are likely to change.
Tragically, the fires have claimed the lives of 114 individuals. President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit the island, marking his first visit since the deadly fires struck earlier this month.
The fires have left significant destruction in their wake, particularly in the historic Maui town of Lahaina. This has been identified as the most severe natural disaster in the history of the Hawaiian state.
County Mayor Bissen expressed the profound impact of the disaster, stating, “Our lives have changed forever and things will not be the same.” However, he emphasized the importance of unity and support during this difficult time.
As of now, 27 of the deceased have been identified and their families have been notified. The victims’ identities have started to come to light, revealing diverse stories including an avid musician and beloved grandparents.
Mayor Bissen pointed out that the figure of 850 missing is, in some ways, “positive news” as it represents a decrease from the initial count of over 2,000 missing individuals in the aftermath of the fires. He urged those with missing loved ones to provide DNA samples to aid in the ongoing recovery efforts.
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are expected to visit the affected areas on the island, meeting with fire victims, first responders, and local officials.
Critics have challenged President Biden’s response to the disaster, while local officials have faced scrutiny as well. The head of Maui’s emergency management resigned following criticism of the agency’s alarm system during the fire.