Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced during a news conference that a grid search and rescue operation has been initiated in the Eaton area following the wildfires. Unfortunately, three deceased individuals have been found during the search, and Luna expressed the expectation that this number may rise as the operation continues.
Authorities are planning a similar search operation on the north side of the county in the near future. The Los Angeles County medical examiner confirmed a total of 16 deaths connected to the wildfires, with 11 fatalities from the Eaton Fire and five from Palisades.
Sheriff Luna urged residents to promptly report anyone they suspect is missing. Currently, the sheriff's department has received 16 missing person reports, with 12 individuals missing in Eaton and four in the Palisades. Luna noted that there is a silver lining in the situation as none of the missing persons are juveniles. However, the department has received numerous additional reports of missing individuals that are yet to be officially documented.
Luna emphasized the importance of reporting any suspicions of missing persons to local law enforcement agencies. He stressed the significance of community cooperation in ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents affected by the wildfires.
