Hawaii Wildfire’s Grim Toll: 100th Victim Identified as Lydia Coloma
In a somber revelation, the devastating Lahaina wildfire that engulfed Maui’s historic town last August has claimed its 100th known victim.
Identified as 70-year-old Lydia Coloma, she lost eight family members, including her husband and sister, in the catastrophic inferno.
Identification Challenges and Community Loss
Lydia Coloma, a well-respected community member who worked at Foodland Lahaina, became the final victim to be identified on Friday.
The identification process relied on the location of the remains, given the severe damage they endured.
Coloma’s family, originally from the Ilocos Sur province in the Philippines, faced an agonizing wait for the final identification.
Protracted Identification Process
The aftermath of the Lahaina wildfire has witnessed a protracted and arduous identification process.
Forensic experts and over 40 cadaver dogs sifted through ashes, seeking bodies that were potentially cremated.
DNA testing, involving samples from victims’ family members, led to a revision of the death toll from 115 to at least 97 in September.
However, the toll later increased slightly.
Reduced Unaccounted for Individuals
The number of individuals still unaccounted for has seen a significant reduction, dropping from nearly 400 to just three, according to the Maui Police Department.
Coloma, now officially identified as a victim, has been removed from the list of missing persons.
The remaining missing individuals are Paul Kasprzycki, 76; Robert Owens, 65; and Elmer Lee Stevens, 73.
Ongoing Investigations and Devastation’s Impact
Authorities have slowly reopened the burn zone to residents and property owners, cautioning against sifting through ashes due to the potential health risks.
Six months post the tragedy, around 5,000 displaced residents are still in temporary accommodations. The fire, with its origins still under investigation, destroyed over 2,000 buildings, causing an estimated $5.5 billion in damage.
Scientific Insights into the Disaster
A recent AP investigation suggested the fire’s origin might be linked to an overgrown gully beneath power lines.
Scientists introduced laboratory models indicating a downslope windstorm, similar to those causing California’s devastating wildfires, fueled the Lahaina Fire.
The destruction raises concerns about housing costs in Lahaina, with economists warning of prohibitive expenses for many residents.
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