Update: (September 10, 2019)
In a statement released on Monday night, Sept. 9th, 2019, Commissioner of Police, Anthony Ferguson advised that the death toll from Hurricane Dorian now stands at 50 people:
“The Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to advise the general public, that as of Monday 9th September, 2019, officers have located and recovered fifty (50) deceased persons from the hurricane affected areas, forty-two (42) from the island of Abaco and eight (8) from Grand Bahama.
We anticipate the discovery of more deceased persons, as the process of search and recovery progresses. As there are many more persons 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.
We offer sincere condolences to those families who had love ones die during the hurricane. Please know that every effort is being made by Royal Bahamas Police Force along with our local and international law enforcement partners to bring relief and closure for everyone.
May God bless the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.”
Update: (September 8, 2019)
STATEMENT FROM THE ROYAL BAHAMAS POLICE FORCE
The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to advise that, to date, Sunday, September 8, 2019 they have located 45 bodies in the Hurricane Dorian affected area: 37 in Abaco and 8 in Grand Bahama.
In their announcement the RBPF states:
We anticipate the discovery of more bodies as the process of search and recovery progresses.
There are many more persons presumed missing and we are appealing to the public to file Missing Persons reports, with the police, of those persons who have not been seen since the passage of Hurricane Dorian.
We offer condolences to those families who have had loved ones die during the storm. And every effort is being made along with our local and international law enforcement partners to bring closure.
—-
Previous Story:
Bahamas PM updates Dorian deaths to 43 – Says significant increase expected; Acknowledges many missing
Following a Cabinet meeting held during the evening of Friday, September 6th, 2019, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis released the following statement:
“As a result of Hurricane Dorian the official death count in The Bahamas is 43 – 35 in Abaco and 8 in Grand Bahama.
We acknowledge that there are many missing and that the number of deaths is expected to significantly increase.
This is one of the stark realities we are facing in this hour of darkness.
The loss of life we are experiencing is catastrophic and devastating. The grief we will bear as a country begins with the families who have lost loved ones. We will meet them in this time of sorrow with open arms and walk by their sides every step of the way.
To those who have lost loved ones, I know there is absolutely nothing we can say that will lessen your pain and loss. We offer you our shoulders to cry on, our prayers of comfort and our promise that your loved ones will never be forgotten.
I ask the media and the country to respect the loss of life. The families need to grieve.
We will provide accurate, timely information on the loss of life as it is available. We will first and foremost put the priority on notifying families and giving them the help they need to grieve.
I ask the Bahamian people to join me in grieving this horrible loss.
Let us pray for the dead and their families.
__________
6 September 2019
Office of the Prime Minister
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
