Maui Officials Finally Reveal Missing Persons List
Maui County Releases List of Missing Individuals
Maui County, Hawaii, has released the names of 388 people who are still missing more than two weeks after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. Officials are urging anyone who knows someone on the list to contact authorities immediately.
The list of names was compiled by the FBI.
The number of confirmed deaths from the fires that devastated the historic seaside community of Lahaina on Maui currently stands at 115, but officials expect this number to rise.
Police Chief John Pelletier acknowledged the emotional impact of releasing the list, stating, “We also know that once those names come out, it can and will cause pain for folks whose loved ones are listed. This is not an easy thing to do, but we want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to make this investigation as complete and thorough as possible.”
Officials have validated the names on the list if they have the person’s first and last name, as well as a verified contact for the person who reported them missing.
County of Maui releases validated list of names of individuals who remain unaccounted for following https://t.co/DlFcUO8XPs pic.twitter.com/8CklzGcu4U
— County of Maui (@CountyofMaui) August 25, 2023
As of Thursday afternoon, an additional 1,732 people who were reported missing have been found safe.
However, concerns were raised about releasing the list, as it may also identify individuals who have tragically lost their lives.
Pelletier explained the challenges his team faced in compiling the list, including cases where only partial names were provided or where names were duplicated.
The county has urged immediate family members of individuals who are still unaccounted for to visit the Family Assistance Center to provide a DNA sample for the identification process.
Lawsuit Filed Against Hawaiian Electric Co.
Maui County has filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Co., alleging that the utility negligently failed to shut off power despite dangerous weather conditions. Witnesses and videos suggest that sparks from power lines ignited fires as utility poles snapped in the high winds caused by a passing hurricane.
Hawaii Electric expressed disappointment with the lawsuit, stating, “We are very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding.”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
The post Maui Officials Finally Release List of People Who Are Still Missing appeared first on The Western Journal.
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