Hurricane Matthew in Haiti: at least 800 killed

The death toll in Haiti as a result of Hurricane Matthew - the most powerful Caribbean storm in a decade - has soared to more than 800, officials say.

BBC, Agencies · HAITI · 07 OCTOBER 2016 · 18:53 CET

A girl in Haiti after the Hurricane Matthew / AP,
A girl in Haiti after the Hurricane Matthew / AP

The death toll in Haiti as a result of Hurricane Matthew - the most powerful Caribbean storm in a decade - has soared to more than 800, officials say.

The city of Jeremie saw 80% of its buildings levelled. In Sud province 30,000 homes were destroyed.

The storm passed directly through the Tiburon peninsula, driving the sea inland and flattening homes with winds of up to 230km/h (145mph) and torrential rain on Monday and Tuesday.

Most of the deaths in Haiti were in towns and fishing villages around the southern coast, with many killed by falling trees, flying debris and swollen rivers.

Christian organisations are already working on the ground to help the people affected.

Published in: Evangelical Focus - world - Hurricane Matthew in Haiti: at least 800 killed