Crews in west Maui are doing the devastating work of sifting through the ashes of incinerated homes and beloved landmarks as the death toll from the deadliest US wildfire in more than 100 years is still rising.
As of Monday afternoon, officials confirmed 99 people have died, up from the previous count of 96. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green told CNN Monday the death toll would likely increase “very significantly” and could double over the next 10 days.
The names of victims whose families have been notified will be released Tuesday, Maui Police Department Chief John Pelletier announced during a news conference Monday.
An unknown number of people are still unaccounted for as search teams with cadaver dogs look for remains in devastated neighborhoods. “A lot of people had to run and left all of what they had behind. So, they don’t have their phones,” Green added.