A Royal Navy warship has sailed to the Cayman Islands to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, after the powerful storm devastated islands in the south-eastern Caribbean, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
The hurricane has caused extensive damage in the region and has so far killed at least seven people across Grenada, Carriacou, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Venezuela.
The hurricane was expected to pass just south of the Cayman Islands overnight. By Thursday morning, its gaze was about 500 miles east-southeast of Tulum, Mexico.
HMS Trent, a sea patrol vessel, is expected to arrive in the Cayman Islands this weekend. The crew will provide assistance to communities affected by flooding and storm damage.
The storm, previously classified as a Category 5, could pack wind gusts of more than 250 km/h (155 mph), according to the Defense Department.
HMS Trent (pictured) is expected to arrive in the Cayman Islands this weekend with a crew ready to assist communities affected by flooding and storm damage.
Hurricane Beryl (pictured) has caused damage across the region, killing at least seven people so far in Grenada, Carriacou, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Venezuela
Red Cross members carry an evacuee from Union Island on a stretcher upon arrival in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
HMS Trent left Puerto Rico on Wednesday with bottled water, basic emergency supplies and other equipment. More than 50 sailors were on board.
The personnel include a team from the 700X Naval Air Squadron who can conduct “aerial reconnaissance” and assess damage from above, supporting the 24 Commando Royal Engineers also on board, the Ministry of Defence said.
A specialist Rapid Deployment Team has already travelled to the Eastern Caribbean to provide consular assistance to affected British nationals, the Home Office said.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are believed to be making a private donation to Hurricane Beryl relief efforts.
Earlier today, King Charles expressed his “deep sadness” at the devastation and loss of life caused by Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean.
In a personal message, he expressed his “sincere condolences” on behalf of the royal family and praised the emergency services personnel and volunteers who are working day and night to deal with the aftermath.
The King (pictured yesterday with Queen Camilla) has expressed his ‘deep sadness’ at the devastation and loss of life caused by Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean
Wreckage is seen outside damaged homes after Hurricane Beryl passed through, in Petite Martinique, Grenada, July 2, 2024
A woman walks along Manresa beach covered in trash after the passage of Hurricane Beryl in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, July 3, 2024
He has asked to be kept closely informed of developments and hopes to meet directly with regional leaders in the coming days to express his support and condolences.
In his message, King Charles said: ‘My family and I are deeply saddened to hear of the terrible devastation that Hurricane Beryl has caused in the Caribbean. Above all, we send our sincere condolences to the friends and families of those who so cruelly lost their lives.
‘I have seen the extraordinary resilience and solidarity that people in the Caribbean have shown in response to this devastation, an attitude that has been called upon far too often. I would therefore like to extend my special thanks to the emergency services and volunteers who are supporting the rescue and recovery efforts.
“Please know that our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time are with all whose lives, livelihoods and properties have been so utterly destroyed.”
Hurricane Beryl has hit several islands in the Caribbean, including Jamaica recently, killing at least eight people.
Nearly all homes on Union Island in the Grenadines have been destroyed or severely damaged, with authorities saying the storm caused “massive devastation.”
King Charles remains head of state of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, of Grenada, which has also been badly hit, and of Jamaica.
No storm has reached Beryl’s intensity this early in the hurricane season, which runs from June to November.
The King’s message came after it was confirmed that the Prince and Princess of Wales had privately donated to the relief effort and were continuing to closely monitor the impact of the hurricane.