The death toll from the devastating Hurricane Dorian has risen to at least 43 across the Bahamas, while authorities warn they expect a “staggering” number of casualties as hundreds of people remain missing.
The most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Bahamas swept through the islands earlier this week, levelling neighborhoods, destroying livelihoods and leaving thousands homeless, as Aljazera reported.
Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, confirming the toll of 43, said on Friday that 35 were killed on the worst-hit Abaco island and eight on Grand Bahama island.
“The loss of life we are experiencing is catastrophic and devastating,” he said in a statement quoted by The Tribune newspaper.
“Literally hundreds, up to thousands, of people are still missing,” Joy Jibrilu, the director general of the Bahamian tourism and aviation ministry, told CNN.
Hundreds of people fled Great Abaco by boat and plane, as thousands further lined up to get on a cruise ship leaving neighboring Grand Bahama to escape the tragedy.
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