A wildfire swept across Maui nearly a week ago, but the true death toll is still unknown.

As cadaver dogs search the blackened disaster zone, the families of around 1,300 missing people wait anxiously.

The confirmed death toll of 101 people is expected to rise steadily. Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green said on Monday that it could take as long as 10 days to reach an accurate figure, and investigators could find “10 to 20 people per day probably until they finish”.

As of 15 August, only three of the dead had been positively identified, according to Adam Weintraub, the communications director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

Victim identification specialists told that putting names to the rest of those who perished in Maui could take months or even years.

Both finding and identifying victims will be arduous given the magnitude of the destruction – which emergency workers have described as “extremely hazardous” – and the condition that many of the remains are likely to be found in.methods are preferred”.

Families of around 1,300 missing people are waiting anxiously as cadaver dogs scour the blackened disaster zone.

The confirmed death toll of 101 people is expected to rise steadily. Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green said on Monday that it could take as long as 10 days to reach an accurate figure, and investigators could find “10 to 20 people per day probably until they finish”.

As of 15 August, only three of the dead had been positively identified, according to Adam Weintraub, the communications director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

Victim identification specialists told that putting names to the rest of those who perished in Maui could take months or even years.

It will be difficult to find and identify victims due to the magnitude of the destruction and the conditions in which many of the remains are likely to be found.