number of dead is 21. larry jacob has more. reporter: the painstaking job continues picking through the mud and debris. medical examiner confirmed 21 fatalities. of those 15 have been officially identitied and six fatalities are awaiting official identification through the m.e. s office. four additional victims were discovered in the debris field today but they have not been identified. reporter: officials say more than 400 people are involved in this extensive operation. volunteers and rescue crews doing everything they can to help bring closure to so many. family members i have spoken to, i think, have a very mature real sense of wanting to have hope and wanting to find that miracle. we have provided them and are providing them every opportunity to find that miracle. reporter: this is now a recovery, with no expectation of finding anyone alive.