Mobile Morgue Unit Deployed to Help Identify Wildfire Victims in Maui
LAHAINA, Hawaii – In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui, Hawaii, a mobile morgue unit has been deployed to assist officials in identifying the 99 victims confirmed killed in the fires. As teams continue to search for more victims in the neighborhoods that have been reduced to ash, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has sent a team of coroners, pathologists, and technicians along with the necessary equipment to identify and process remains.
According to Jonathan Greene, the deputy assistant secretary for response at the agency, this mission will be extremely challenging due to the high number of victims. He emphasized the importance of patience during the identification process. As the search for bodies intensifies, officials expected to release the first list of names on Tuesday.
A week after the blaze tore through historic Lahaina, many survivors have started moving into hotel rooms that have been designated for displaced locals. The community has also received an outpouring of donations including food, water, and other essential items.
Crews equipped with cadaver dogs have combed through approximately 32% of the affected area, according to a statement from the County of Maui. However, Governor Josh Green has urged patience as authorities are overwhelmed with requests to visit the burn area. So far, only three bodies have been identified, and officials have renewed their appeal for families with missing relatives to provide DNA samples. To date, 41 samples have been submitted, and 13 DNA profiles have been obtained from remains.
Unfortunately, Governor Green has warned that more bodies could be discovered as the wildfires, some of which have not been fully contained, continue to be the deadliest in the U.S. in over a century. The cause of the fires is currently under investigation.
Governor Green confirmed that children are among the missing and described some of the search sites as too distressing to share. Additionally, the forecast of storms with rain and high winds has added another complication. Officials are considering a preemptive power shutdown due to concerns over the weakened infrastructure.
Although the fires started a week ago, some residents are still without power and have unreliable cellphone service. The situation has left them unsure of where to seek assistance. However, a single-prop airplane has been aiding in providing information about water and supply locations.
The local power utility, Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc., has faced criticism for not shutting off power during strong winds in the high-risk fire area. It remains uncertain whether the utility’s equipment played a role in igniting the fires.
According to Karen Clark & Company, a disaster and risk modeling company, the Lahaina fire caused around $3.2 billion in insured property losses. This estimate does not include damage to uninsured property. The firm reported that over 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed by flames, with an additional 3,000 structures damaged by fire or smoke.
Toxic byproducts left behind by the fires have made it unsafe for many residents to return home. The Red Cross has provided shelter to 575 evacuees, and Governor Green estimated that thousands of people will need housing for at least 36 weeks. In response, approximately 450 hotel rooms and 1,000 Airbnb rentals have been made available.
President Joe Biden expressed his intention to visit Hawaii to offer support but emphasized the need for recovery efforts to continue uninterrupted. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has already received over 3,000 registrations for federal assistance, with the number expected to grow. FEMA is providing $700 to displaced residents for essential supplies and is also offering coverage for home and property losses.
Governor Green commended the generous contributions of donations and support from various leaders and organizations totaling over 1 million pounds (450,000 kilograms) of food, in addition to ice, water, diapers, and baby formula. The U.S. Marines, the Hawaii National Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Coast Guard have all joined the aid and recovery efforts.
In the face of this tragedy, there are stories of heroism emerging. Kekoa Lansford, a Lahaina resident, has been collecting survivors’ stories to create a timeline of events. So far, he has received 170 emails detailing the harrowing experiences of those affected. Lansford described the scene as resembling hell, with fire everywhere and the loss of life.
The devastating wildfires in Maui have left a lasting impact on the community, and the identification and recovery efforts will continue to be challenging. As the search for more victims and the cleanup and recovery process continue, the support and assistance of various organizations, including the federal government, are playing a crucial role in helping the affected residents of Maui rebuild their lives.