Some 388 people are still missing after deadly wildfires ripped through Maui in Hawaii, police have said.

The Maui Police Department released the names of those who remain unaccounted for – earlier this week 850 were missing.

The blazes that devastated Lahaina killed at least 115 people, making them the deadliest in the US in more than a century. The county has said the number of dead is expected to rise.

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Aerial footage shows Hawaii devastation

“We’re releasing this list of 388 names today because we know that it will help with the investigation,” Maui Police Department chief John Pelletier said.

“But we’re also balancing that because we do know that once those names come out, it can and will cause pain for some folks that are affected by this.”

On Tuesday the FBI said there were 1,000 to 1,100 names on a tentative, unconfirmed list.

U.S. President Joe Biden, aboard Marine One, inspects the fire-ravaged town of Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii, U.S., August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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US President Joe Biden, aboard Marine One, inspects the fire-ravaged town of Lahaina

Biden visits island amid criticism over response

US President Joe Biden visited the wildfire-hit island on Monday – 13 days after the wildfires broke out – following criticism over his response to the crisis.

After touring the damage, he promised the federal government would help Maui “for as long as it takes” to recover from the devastation.

“The country grieves with you, stands with you and will do everything possible to help you recover,” he said in a speech, delivered next to a 150-year-old banyan tree in Old Lahaina which had been burned in the fires.

“Today it’s burned, but it’s still standing,” Mr Biden said of the tree. “The tree survived for a reason. I believe it’s a very powerful symbol of what we can and will do to get through this crisis.”

Read more:
Maui’s emergency services chief quits following criticism
Family of Maui fire victim ‘knew something was wrong’ on day blaze began

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Maui resident reflects on wildfires

Maui County sues power company

It comes as Maui County sued the Hawaiian Electric Company, alleging the power company of acting negligently by failing to shut down its equipment despite warnings hurricane winds could knock power lines down and spark fires.

Hawaii Electric said it is “very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding”.

A drought in the region had left plants dangerously dry as Hurricane Dora passed roughly 500 miles (800km) south of Hawaii with strong winds.