‘There’s a lot to get through’: Hawaii crews comb ruins of Lahaina for missing fire victims

Burned palm trees and destroyed cars and buildings in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina. Dozens of emergency workers have mobilized to aid in the search and recovery. Photograph: Moses Slovatizki/AFP/Getty Images

The destruction in Lahaina stretches as far as the eye can see – homes burned down to their foundations, blackened cars, and piles of twisted metal from the fire that burned all the way to the sea. It is in these ruins that search teams will determine the true toll of the disaster.

The wildfires that ravaged Maui last week exploded rapidly, moving at roughly a mile a minute, and giving residents little time to escape as flames consumed the historic town of Lahaina. At least 106 people died – a figure expected to rise significantly in the coming days as crews scour the rubble. A huge operation is under way to find remains and identify them, and officials have asked for patience.