The official death toll remains at 115 in the fire that broke out on August 8 and reduced the historic town of Lahaina on the island of Maui to ashes.
View of the town of Lahaina after the historic fire. Photo: Reuters
Only 60 of those victims had been identified as of Thursday, according to the Maui Police Department. Officials said some victims may have been burned beyond recognition in the fire.
While some families wait anxiously, relatives of those confirmed dead face even more hardship. Fire survivors have not been allowed to return to their homes or businesses.
Hawaii’s governor said residents and business owners will soon be allowed to enter the burned areas for scheduled supervised visits, citing the toxic emissions from the fire. Green said it will take “nearly a year” and cost about $1 billion to completely clean up the debris.
More than 6,000 fire survivors are still sheltering in hotel rooms, Green said. He said the Federal Emergency Management Agency is helping the state of Hawaii provide housing grants and rental assistance to those displaced over the next 18 months.
Mai Anh (according to Reuters)
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