BackHurricane Irma has destroyed 95% of French part of St Martin: top official
The French part of the Caribbean island St Martin is '95% destroyed' after Hurricane Irma tore through the region, top local official Daniel Gibbs said
Premium
Pointe-à-Pitre: The French part of the Caribbean island St Martin is “95% destroyed" after Hurricane Irma tore through the region, top local official Daniel Gibbs said late Wednesday.
“It’s an enormous catastrophe. 95% of the island is destroyed. I’m in shock. It’s frightening," said Gibbs, a former French lawmaker, speaking on Radio Caribbean International.
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 on Wednesday.
The French minister for overseas affairs, Annick Girardin, was to fly to Guadeloupe late Wednesday 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 Emmanuel Macron said, adding that he expected damage on St Barts and St Martin to be “considerable".
St Martin, located south of the island of Anguilla, is divided between the Netherlands and France.
St Barts, 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.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
