The number of people killed in Jamaica as a result of Hurricane Melissa has risen to 28, the Caribbean nation’s prime minister has announced.
Andrew Holness confirmed nine other deaths on Saturday, adding that there were reports of possible fatalities still being verified – suggesting the figure may yet rise.
Emergency responders and aid agencies have struggled to reach certain parts of the island in the aftermath of the storm due to blocked roads, debris and flooding.
The category five hurricane – the strongest type – has caused dozens of deaths across the Caribbean, bringing powerful winds and landslides to Cuba and Haiti.
The full scale of the destruction Melissa wrought on Jamaica has only become clear in the past few days as the hurricane knocked out communication systems and power to much of the island after it made landfall on Tuesday.
Communities on the island’s western portion, such as Black River and Montego Bay, have seen the worst of the destruction.
Images have emerged showing buildings razed to the ground, debris and belongings strewn on streets, and whole neighbourhoods still under floodwater.
The Red Cross says that 72% of people across Jamaica still do not have electricity and around 6,000 are in emergency shelters.
Jamaican officials confirmed to news agency AFP that multiple field hospitals were being established to treat people in the worst-affected areas in the west.
Aid reaching those in need was initially held up by the temporary closure of Jamaica’s airports.
Now that it is arriving in the country, landslides, downed power lines and fallen trees have made certain roads impassable – complicating its distribution.
Credit: bbc.com
