114 Dead, 850 Missing in Maui Fires

Approximately 850 people are still missing following the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui earlier this month. The wildfires, which were the deadliest in modern U.S. history, resulted in at least 114 fatalities. So far, 27 victims have been identified, with notification sent to 11 families. The number of missing individuals was refined through a collaboration involving the FBI, which combined and streamlined lists of missing persons. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen highlighted that this figure is down from 2,000 names before being reduced due to restored cellphone communication and reestablished contacts. Accurately determining casualties in mass disasters can take several months or years. In response to the situation, the FBI has opened a facility for DNA sample submission, aiming to expedite victim identification by matching samples with recovered remains.