Tally of missing from Hawaii wildfires drops significantly as deaths unchanged, governor says

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The deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century swept through Lahaina on Aug. 8, causing dozens of people to flee to the ocean to escape the flames, destroying more than 2,000 structures and doing an estimated $5.5 billion in damage.

66 people still unaccounted for; confirmed deaths remains at 115

A person speaks at a lectern outside as two people behind the speaker watch on.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, centre, speaks as U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Biden’s wife Jill listen during a visit to an area devastated by wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 21. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

The number of people still missing following wildfires that destroyed the historic community of Lahaina a month ago has dropped to 66, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Friday, while the number of confirmed deaths remained at 115.

The tally of the missing is now significantly lower than a week earlier, when authorities said 385 remained unaccounted for.

The deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century swept through Lahaina on Aug. 8, causing dozens of people to flee to the ocean to escape the flames, destroying more than 2,000 structures and causing an estimated $5.5 billion US in damage.

So far, Maui police have released the names of 55 of the dead. Of these, 22 were in their 70s, with another 13 in their 60s. There was one listed victim under the age of 10.

The governor also said that in the coming weeks, authorities will begin to schedule supervised visits for residents to return to and view their properties.

WATCH | Residents see the scope of destruction: 

Returning Lahaina residents see full scope of Maui wildfire destruction

Hawaiian officials have reopened the highway leading into Lahaina after the historic town was devastated by wildfires last week. At least 110 people have been confirmed dead as searchers with cadaver dogs continue to comb the disaster area.

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