Hurricane Irma destroys ‘95%’ of French part of St Martin: official
Team Udayavani, Sep 7, 2017, 8:48 AM IST
Pointe-a-Pitre : The French part of the Caribbean island St Martin is “95 percent destroyed” after Hurricane Irma tore through the region, top local official Daniel Gibbs has said. “It’s an enormous catastrophe. Ninety-five percent of the island is destroyed. I’m in shock. It’s frightening,” said Gibbs, a former French lawmaker, speaking on Radio Caribbean International yesterday.
The island is in need of emergency assistance, he said. “I have sick people to evacuate, I have a population to evacuate because I don’t know where I can shelter them,” he said. At least six people have been killed in the French part of St Martin, Guadeloupe prefect Eric Maire said. Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, cut a deadly swath through a string of small Caribbean islands yesterday.
The French minister for overseas affairs, Annick Girardin, was to fly to Guadeloupe late yesterday with emergency teams and supplies to assess the situation, the ministry said. “It’s too soon for casualty figures (but) I can already tell you the toll will be harsh and cruel,” French President Macron said, adding that he expected damage on St Barts and St Martin to be “considerable”.
St Martin (“Sint Maarten” in Dutch), located south of the island of Anguilla, is divided between the Netherlands and France. St Barts (“Saint Barthelemy” in French), which lies to the southeast of St Martin, is administered with the status of a French collectivity, as is the French part of St Martin.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Biden administration official backs reform of UN in response to Musk’s comments on permanent UNSC seat for India
Russia initiates withdrawal of peacekeeping forces from Karabakh as Azerbaijan takes full control of the region
Unprecedented rainfall in Dubai: Social media flooded with visuals of submerged airport & streets
Israel’s Defense Innovations: From Iron Dome to Arrow 3
Heavy rains set off flash floods killing 33 people in Afghanistan
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Why crime rate against Dalits increasing in MP: Cong jabs PM Modi
Indian embassy urges caution for non-essential travel to UAE amid historic flooding
Kullur: Pedestrian killed in road accident
PM Modi accuses previous governments of deceiving SC, ST, OBCs in the guise of social justice at Amroha rally
Nadda says Rahul Gandhi believes in dynastic rule