August 26. Within hours of releasing the names of 388 people unaccounted for following the Maui wildfires, 100 were reported safe, the FBI confirmed.
Authorities released the names on Thursday and asked survivors to come forward, so they could focus their efforts on locating any others.
The official death toll from the fires currently stands at 115.
Search teams are still combing through the charred remains of the historic town of Lahaina and other areas.
The devastating fires spread on 8 August and blazed through the oceanside town of Lahaina, home to 12,000 people.
In a press conference, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Honolulu, Steven Merril, said they were «very thankful for the people who have reached out by phone or email».
«As we get someone off of a list, this has enabled us to devote more resources to those who are still on the list.»
In a statement on Thursday, Maui’s police chief John Pellettier said the names were released in an effort to narrow down who remains unaccounted for.
«We know that it will help with the investigation,» Chief Pelletier said.
Officials also asked residents to come forward if they see a name of a person they know to be safe.
Earlier in the week, authorities said more than 1,000 people were still unaccounted for.
Source: bbc
