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Tag: missing persons

  • One of Spain’s Deadliest Wildfires Kills at Least 11 People as 19 Remain Missing

    One of Spain’s Deadliest Wildfires Kills at Least 11 People as 19 Remain Missing

    One of the deadliest wildfires in Spain in recent years has claimed the lives of at least 11 people, while authorities continue searching for 19 individuals reported missing as firefighters battle the devastating blaze.

    The wildfire has swept through large areas, destroying homes, forests, and infrastructure while forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. Emergency services have been working around the clock to contain the flames and rescue people trapped in affected communities.

    Spanish authorities said the fire spread rapidly due to extreme heat, strong winds, and dry vegetation, creating dangerous conditions that complicated firefighting operations and evacuation efforts.

    Search and rescue teams, supported by helicopters, drones, and emergency personnel, are continuing efforts to locate those still unaccounted for. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as crews gain access to heavily damaged areas.

    The wildfire has consumed vast stretches of land, leaving extensive environmental destruction and significant damage to residential properties, farms, and public infrastructure.

    The Spanish Civil Protection and regional emergency services have urged residents to follow evacuation orders and avoid entering restricted areas while firefighting operations remain ongoing.

    Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged government support for rescue efforts, emergency relief, and long-term recovery for affected communities.

    Firefighters from multiple regions have been deployed to assist local emergency services, while neighbouring countries have offered additional resources through European civil protection cooperation mechanisms.

    Meteorologists warned that persistent high temperatures and dry weather continue to increase wildfire risks across parts of southern Europe, with climate experts noting that prolonged heatwaves have contributed to more frequent and intense wildfires.

    Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire while continuing efforts to protect lives, contain the blaze, and prevent further destruction.

    As rescue and recovery operations continue, officials remain focused on locating the missing, assisting displaced residents, and restoring essential services to communities affected by one of Spain’s most destructive wildfire disasters.

    Swifteradio.com

  • Hurricane Helene Live Updates: Death Toll Climbs to 182 Amid Ongoing Search for the Missing

    Hurricane Helene Live Updates: Death Toll Climbs to 182 Amid Ongoing Search for the Missing

    As the aftermath of Hurricane Helene unfolds, the devastation has been catastrophic across several states. As of October 2, 2024, the death toll has tragically risen to at least 182, marking it as the deadliest hurricane to impact the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina.

    The storm, which made landfall on Thursday night in Florida’s Big Bend region as a formidable Category 4 hurricane, has wreaked havoc across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. The storm surge, severe wind damage, and significant inland flooding have left neighborhoods submerged, residents stranded, and homes destroyed.

    Latest Developments:

    • Death Toll: At least 182 confirmed fatalities, with hundreds still reported missing.
    • Power Outages: Approximately 1.2 million customers remain without power in various southern states.
    • Government Response: President Biden has deployed up to 1,000 active-duty troops to support recovery efforts in North Carolina. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed gratitude to officials for their ongoing recovery initiatives and is scheduled to travel to Georgia on Wednesday.

    As recovery efforts continue, emergency responders and National Guard members are tirelessly searching for those still missing and assisting affected communities. Relief organizations are mobilizing to provide support to individuals and families impacted by the storm.

    Source: ABC News

  • Manitoba Officials Announce Fall Start for Landfill Search for Women’s Remains

    A search for the remains of two women, victims of an admitted serial killer, will commence late this fall at a landfill near Winnipeg. Engineers will sift through waste from an area the size of four football fields, announced Amna Mackin, the provincial assistant deputy minister overseeing the operation to locate Morgan Harris, 39, and Marcedes Myran, 26.

    During a briefing on Thursday, Mackin shared that several preliminary steps are necessary before the search begins. These include securing necessary licenses, granted last week by the province’s environmental approvals branch, and conducting a test search in another landfill section to prepare searchers.

    The remains of Harris and Myran are believed to have been disposed of at the Prairie Green landfill, north of Winnipeg, following their murders by Jeremy Skibicki, 37, who was tried for the first-degree murder of four Indigenous women earlier this month.

    Premier Wab Kinew emphasized the importance of the search, stating it reflects Manitoba’s commitment to valuing every individual. “To me, this is about sending a message to everyone in Manitoba that you matter. That every single person in this province has dignity and that when somebody goes missing, we go looking because we care. We care about one another in this province,” Kinew stated at the briefing.

    In a 2022 police interview, Skibicki confessed to killing Harris, Myran, Rebecca Contois, 24, and an unidentified woman named Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, by community leaders. Contois’s partial remains were found near Skibicki’s apartment and at another landfill, while the unidentified woman’s remains have not been located.

    During his trial, Skibicki’s defense argued he should be found not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder. The judge’s decision is expected on July 11.

    The designated search area at Prairie Green landfill includes three sections totaling about 100 by 200 meters and reaching a depth of approximately 10 meters, Mackin explained.

    Before the search can begin, an engineering assessment will help pinpoint a more specific area, and the waste above the believed location of the remains will be removed. Once the search begins, likely later this year, waste will be excavated and transported to a nearby temporary search facility. There, it will be spread out using skid steers and manually inspected by search teams.

    Although an earlier feasibility study suggested using a conveyor belt for debris, Kinew indicated that manual searching would be more effective, considering the wet conditions of the landfill waste. Search teams, working in groups of about 12, will meticulously sift through the debris with tools, looking for any clues that might indicate they are close to the remains.

    The search operation will be led by Emily Holland, a forensic anthropologist from Brandon University who previously contributed to the feasibility study. The exact number of staff required remains uncertain, depending on the number of search lines set up within the temporary facility. The search, expected to continue through the winter, will be conducted in a heated facility.

    Some extended family members of the victims have shown interest in joining the search efforts, which may be possible with significant health and safety training due to hazards like asbestos exposure.

    If initial efforts do not yield results, further discussions will determine next steps, which could involve deeper digging or re-examining the removed waste. An oversight committee, including family representatives and Indigenous elders and leaders, has been proposed to guide the search.

    Kinew acknowledged the uncertainty of finding the women’s remains but stressed the importance of having protocols and discussions with families about what constitutes finding their loved ones. During Skibicki’s trial, it was revealed that he had dismembered one of the women.

    The parties will reconvene on August 1 for an update on the interim search plan and the progress of Bill C-71, with the court making a final decision on the extension to December 19.

    Source: CBC