The deadly Hurricane Beryl has caused widespread devastation in the Caribbean region, resulting in at least seven reported deaths. Grenada and Venezuela each recorded three deaths, while Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reported one death. The hurricane reached Category 5 status, making it the strongest hurricane in the history of the Atlantic in the month of June.
As Hurricane Beryl approached, UN Secretary-General’s spokesman Stéphane Dujarric expressed concern about the situation in Haiti. The hurricane is expected to hit Jamaica with winds of up to 240 kilometers per hour and high waves. He mentioned that UN agencies in the region will be reinforced to provide assistance.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro confirmed three deaths in the state of Sucre, where Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was injured by a falling tree. Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell reported three deaths after the hurricane passed through the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The storm caused landslides, destroyed houses, and led to power and communication outages.
Beryl is the earliest Category 5 hurricane since 1966 and the first of the 2024 Atlantic season. The storm has caused widespread damage and destruction in the affected areas, leading to a call for assistance and support for those affected by the hurricane.