20 December, 2025, 9:37 pm Central - 23°C Clouds

Maui fire: First victims identified as death toll reaches 106

Maui fire: First victims identified as death toll reaches 106

By Mosese Raqio
17/08/2023
[Photo: RNZ]

The first names of people killed by wildfires in Maui have been released by officials, one week after at least 106 people died on the Hawaiian island.

The catastrophic fire, which destroyed the historic town of Lahaina within hours, has been followed by a slow and gruelling search for victims.

Twenty sniffer dogs trained to detect bodies have led teams on a block-by-block search of the wreckage, a 5sq mile (13sq km) area now filled with twisted metal and other debris.

Another 20 canine teams are expected to join the search, said Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) Administrator Deanne Criswell on Wednesday.

As of Tuesday evening, 27% of the disaster site had been searched.

Governor Josh Green says the number of dead could climb significantly and even double over the next 10 days.

Thirty specialists from federal mortuary teams are already in Maui and will soon be joined by more from the US defence department.

Source: BBC News

FEATURE NEWS
Ashok Transport issued Prohibition Notice and fined $1,500 for oil discharge into Vatuwaqa drain
Ashok Transport Pte Limited has been issued a Prohibition Notice and Remedial Orders under the Environment Management Act 2005, along with a penalty o...
7 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Japanese woman 'marries' ChatGPT AI character in symbolic ceremony
A woman in Japan has married an AI-generated character based on a video game persona, sparking debates about the intersection of human relationships ...
4 hours ago

About 93,000 tonnes of cane unharvested due to crushing capacity – FSC
About 93,000 tonnes of cane have been left unharvested, rather than the 140,000 tonnes as claimed by Opposition MP Viam Pillay.In a response to ...
6 hours ago

156 RFMF personnel return home from UN Mission in Iraq
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the Nadi International Airport last night as 156 Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel ...
6 hours ago

Vanua leaders urged to partner with tertiary institutions for better training
Kofera Trust Secretary Samuela Tuidraki is encouraging Vanua leaders to work closely with tertiary training institutes to ensure their villagers ...
6 hours ago

Climate relocation boost as NZ commits $5M to Fiji trust fund
The fight against climate change has received a major boost following the $5 million contribution from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of ...
6 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States has expressed serious concern about human trafficking indicators linked to the Grace Road Group in Fiji, as highlighted in the 2025 ...
2 days ago

Human trafficking allegations and issues relating to Grace Road Group
Human trafficking allegations and concerns linked to the Grace Road Group/+ARTICLE-311061+ARTICLE/PM says Govt cannot interfere into any human ...
3 days ago

Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
8 days ago

TOP