The death toll for the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century has increased by one to 99 after Maui County police found additional remains.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The remains were recovered on October 12 in Lahaina, police spokesperson Alana Pico said. An autopsy and forensic examination verified that they were not from a previously recovered individual.
So far police have identified the remains of 97 people from the August 8 fire that wiped out much of Lahaina, a historic town on Maui's west coast.
The remains of two people have yet to be identified. Seven people are still missing.
The wildfire started in a grassy area in Lahaina's hills. Powerful winds related to a hurricane passing to Hawaii's south carried embers from house to house and hampered firefighting efforts.
More than 2000 buildings were destroyed, and some 8000 people were forced to move to hotels and other temporary shelter.
Australian Associated Press
