Malik Usama Shafiq
The confirmed death toll in the Los Angeles wildfires rose sharply Friday night, climbing from 10 to 13 fatalities as of 9 p.m.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office reported it was investigating 13 fire-related deaths. Details about the identities of the victims or the exact locations of the fatalities have not yet been released.
The medical examiner cautioned that the process of identifying the deceased could take weeks due to the hazardous fire conditions and the severe impact of the flames on the bodies.
Read more: https://iforinfo.news/the-scale-of-las-wildfire-crisis-in-figures/
“Traditional methods of identification, such as fingerprinting or visual recognition, may not be feasible in many cases, which will inevitably extend the time required to confirm identities,” the office said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, authorities confirmed six deaths: five in the 13,690-acre Eaton Fire in Altadena and one in the 19,978-acre Palisades Fire. The victim of the Palisades Fire was discovered on the 15300 block of Friends Street, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell.
Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart expressed his sorrow over the tragedy. “It is heartbreaking to learn that a member of our Malibu community was lost in the Palisades Fire,” he said.
“While this individual’s identity has not yet been confirmed, this loss is profoundly felt by all of us. On behalf of the City of Malibu, I extend my deepest condolences to their loved ones. Our community mourns with you in this time of immeasurable grief.”
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized the ongoing challenges in determining the final death toll.
“We are still operating in a dynamic and hazardous environment, with active spot fires and gas leaks complicating our efforts,” Luna said. “We’re committed to providing accurate numbers, but our priority is ensuring the safety of our personnel before accessing these areas to conduct thorough investigations.”
