Human remains continue to be found at site of Hawaii inferno
Lahaina was a gem of history. Today, two months later, its charred wasteland continues to yield human remains. Photo: EPA
More than two months after a raging wildfire wiped the historic Hawaii town of Lahaina off the map searchers continue to find the bones of those who perished.
The death toll for the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century has increased to 99 after Maui County police found additional remains, police spokeswoman 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, on Maui’s west coast.
The remains of two people have yet to be identified. Seven people are still listed as 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.
-with AAP
