The death toll in Grenada has risen to three following the passage of Hurricane Beryl, which struck the island nation with devastating force.
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell announced in a national address on Tuesday morning that two fatalities occurred on the island of Carriacou, which bore the brunt of Beryl’s strength as a powerful category four storm.
Fatalities and damage
One casualty occurred in Grenada itself, where a man tragically lost his life when a tree fell on his home.
Mitchell emphasized the grim possibility of additional fatalities.
Infrastructure challenges
Mitchell also highlighted the severe impact on Carriacou and Petit Martinique, describing them as completely devastated.
The destruction has rendered gas stations inoperable, severely limiting fuel supplies and hindering the use of heavy equipment for recovery efforts.
Comparison to Hurricane Ivan
The scale of destruction has drawn comparisons to Hurricane Ivan, which wreaked havoc on Grenada in 2004, further underscoring the severity of the current crisis.
As Grenada began the daunting task of recovery, Mitchell called upon all citizens to unite and support each other through what promises to be a long and challenging journey.
Plans are underway to deliver aid to Carriacou and Petit Martinique as soon as sea conditions permit safe passage for relief shipments.
