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Advocates Philippines
Over 1,000 Individuals Remain Unaccounted For After Maui Wildfire Disaster
Photo credit: Count of Maui
Emergency response officials disclosed on Tuesday (August 22, 2023) that a distressing number of individuals, ranging between 1,000 and 1,100, are still unaccounted for following the catastrophic wildfire that ravaged Maui. Meanwhile, a glimmer of hope emerges as more than 1,400 individuals previously reported as missing have been located safe and sound.
The figures, though unsettling, are anticipated to shift in the coming days as additional reports of unaccounted individuals are submitted. A multi-agency endeavor, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Maui Police Department (MPD), is diligently reaching out to those already identified as unaccounted for.
Mayor Richard Bissen conveyed his gratitude to the law enforcement agencies involved, stating, "The Maui Police Department, the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies are doing critically important work. On behalf of our community, I want to express our gratitude for their efforts, care, and compassion. This is an extraordinarily difficult time for many families, and our hearts are with them as we make our way through this time."
For those seeking to report someone as unaccounted for, the Maui Police Department has established a dedicated contact at unaccounted@mpd.net. Additionally, those who previously reported individuals as missing but have since made contact with them are urged to notify the FBI at (808) 566-4300 or hn-command-post@ic.fbi.gov. This will ensure accurate information and help in the ongoing search.
FBI Special Agent in Charge, Steven Merrill, emphasized, "If you have already submitted complaints to the Maui Police Department about a missing person, or to the FBI, or anyone else, please follow back up to ensure that they have the most up-to-date and accurate information, including dates of birth, what they look like, who they’re related to, further contact information."
Efforts to identify individuals are being aided by the county's Family Assistance Center, which is actively collecting DNA samples from immediate family members of those unaccounted for. Families are encouraged to visit the center, located at the Hyatt Regency’s Monarchy Ballroom, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily to submit DNA samples. If families reside outside of Maui, arrangements can be coordinated through the FBI at (808) 566-4300 or hn-command-post@ic.fbi.gov.
Assuring the community, Maui County Prosecutor Andrew Martin, who oversees the Family Assistance Center, stated, "I want to make sure that we reassure people that by coming in and providing a DNA sample, the only purpose for which it will be used is identifying the unaccounted for." The DNA samples collected will be exclusively used for identifying wildfire victims and survivors and will not be stored or utilized for any other purpose.
The figures, though unsettling, are anticipated to shift in the coming days as additional reports of unaccounted individuals are submitted. A multi-agency endeavor, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Maui Police Department (MPD), is diligently reaching out to those already identified as unaccounted for.
Mayor Richard Bissen conveyed his gratitude to the law enforcement agencies involved, stating, "The Maui Police Department, the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies are doing critically important work. On behalf of our community, I want to express our gratitude for their efforts, care, and compassion. This is an extraordinarily difficult time for many families, and our hearts are with them as we make our way through this time."
For those seeking to report someone as unaccounted for, the Maui Police Department has established a dedicated contact at unaccounted@mpd.net. Additionally, those who previously reported individuals as missing but have since made contact with them are urged to notify the FBI at (808) 566-4300 or hn-command-post@ic.fbi.gov. This will ensure accurate information and help in the ongoing search.
FBI Special Agent in Charge, Steven Merrill, emphasized, "If you have already submitted complaints to the Maui Police Department about a missing person, or to the FBI, or anyone else, please follow back up to ensure that they have the most up-to-date and accurate information, including dates of birth, what they look like, who they’re related to, further contact information."
Efforts to identify individuals are being aided by the county's Family Assistance Center, which is actively collecting DNA samples from immediate family members of those unaccounted for. Families are encouraged to visit the center, located at the Hyatt Regency’s Monarchy Ballroom, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily to submit DNA samples. If families reside outside of Maui, arrangements can be coordinated through the FBI at (808) 566-4300 or hn-command-post@ic.fbi.gov.
Assuring the community, Maui County Prosecutor Andrew Martin, who oversees the Family Assistance Center, stated, "I want to make sure that we reassure people that by coming in and providing a DNA sample, the only purpose for which it will be used is identifying the unaccounted for." The DNA samples collected will be exclusively used for identifying wildfire victims and survivors and will not be stored or utilized for any other purpose.
Aug 24, 2023
