NASSAU – The death toll from Hurricane Dorian now stands at 51.
According to Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson, “as of Monday, officers have located and recovered 43 deceased people from the island of Abaco and eight from Grand Bahama, bringing the total amount to 51 confirmed deaths”.
He said that shortly after 10 a.m. on Monday, the decomposed body of a Caucasian male was recovered in Marsh Harbour.
“We recognise that many people are presumed missing and we anticipate the discovery of more deceased people, as the process of search and recovery progresses,” the Commissioner said.
“As there are many more people presumed missing, since they have not been seen or heard from since the passage of hurricane Dorian, we are appealing to family members to file missing person’s reports with the police.”
The commissioner sought to assure Bahamians that every effort is being made by the Royal Bahamas Police Force “along with our local and international law enforcement partners to bring relief and closure for everyone”.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said his administration is contemplating creating a memorial site where The Mudd and Pigeon Peas communities – the largest shanty town communities – once stood.
Speaking to reporters late Monday, the Prime Minister said consideration is also being given to erecting tent cities to get people back to Grand Bahama and Abaco.
“Buildings on The Mudd and Pigeon Peas were inferiorly built and they were not set up for disaster, flooding and hurricanes and they were not built according to safety codes,” Minnis said. “Individual’s lives and health were in danger in those facilities.”
The Prime Minister was speaking following a meeting with Alden McLaughlin, the premier of the Cayman Islands.
He said that cabinet and technocrats are finalising details of the plan but moving evacuees back to communities that feature essential services, such as schools, is the main priority of his administration.
“Manpower will be necessary. We must rebuild and they must be a part of that. They were employed there also,” he said.
Meanwhile donations continue to pour into the country.
On Monday, the Cayman Islands donated medical supplies and India’s High Commissioner, M. Sevala Naik, presented a donation of US$1 million. (CMC)