The number of people confirmed killed in the Maui wildfires was lowered from 115 to 97 as officials received DNA results from remains found at the scene confirmed some samples came from the same victims while others were animal remains accidentally collected, the Associated Press reports. Hawaiian officials also announced the number of missing–which sat at more than 1,000 just three weeks ago–was lowered from 41 to 31.
Of the deceased, 74 have been positively identified. Officials said the downward revision was caused by a number of factors, including the chaos in the immediate aftermath of the fire. Other remains may have been moved from their original locations as searchers looked for survivors, with responders unknowingly kicking the remains, which were found in subsequent searches. Some of the remains tested turned out to be animal bones.