A doctor who lives on the British Virgin Islands has broken down in tears as she explained that she is unsure whether her colleagues have survived the devastating Hurricane Irma.
Annalise Lawton, who works at Peebles Hospital on the island of Tortola, said that doctors have been working ‘tirelessly’ to help the wounded.
But when she came to discussing the heroic efforts of her fellow medics, she couldn’t stop herself sobbing amid fears about their fate.
Speaking to Sky News, Annalise – currently in Spain – said: ‘Those of my friends that are there have just been working tirelessly.
‘There are still some of my colleagues that are unaccounted for that they’ve heard nothing from… we don’t know if they’ve survived.
Annalise Lawton, who works at Peebles Hospital on the island of Tortola, said that doctors have been working ‘tirelessly’ to help the wounded
‘They are the kind of people who would have been straight there to help.’
The islands’ governor, Gus Jaspert, said there had been devastating damage and ‘reports of casualties and fatalities’ following the storm.
He added: ‘I am truly heartbroken by this news. May God bless and protect the territory and our people.’
The hurricane has left apocalyptic scenes behind it in the Caribbean, killing 24 so far, and causing enormous levels of destruction in St Martin, Barbuda and others.
Annalise said she is trying to get back to the island as soon as possible amid fears that Hurricane Jose – which is following in Irma’s wake – will hammer the already-suffering island.
Her home, she said, ‘is no longer standing’ – but she said she has arranged a place she can stay.
The governor of the British Virgin Islands, Gus Jaspert, said there had been devastating damage and ‘reports of casualties and fatalities’ following the storm
Scenes of catastrophe on the British Virgin Islands have emerged in the aftermath of the deadly storm
Aftermath: The hurricane has so far killed at least 24 people across the Caribbean and laid waste to vast areas
She said the BVI has an ‘amazing community’ and that many people are desperate to get back there and help.
Discussing the hospital at which she works, however, she said that patients have had to be turned away as they seek shelter from Jose.
Paradise lost: This car has been flipped on its side and almost completely destroyed by the devastating winds of Hurricane Irma
Here comes the cavalry: Members of 24 Commando Royal Engineers disembark with kit and supplies from a RAF C17 in response to Hurricane Irma on British Virgin Islands
The Government explained that the Department for International Development’s disaster response centre was sending out supplies of aid to be loaded on to HMS Ocean as well as aircraft. Pictured: The troops on the ground in the BVI today
But she did say that crucial treatments like dialysis have begun again.
The islands are being described as a ‘twilight zone’, she said, adding that aid has begun to ‘trickle’ into the area after being organised by civilians – a point she finds ‘crazy’.
Downing Street, however, said it was waiting for ‘a full picture of intelligence to come through’ of the Caribbean, adding: ‘Three flights departed [yesterday] morning carrying marines and engineers as part of the MoD task force.’
Hurricane Jose is expected to pass near or east of the northeastern Leeward Islands today and is currently threatening several islands that were seriously damaged by Hurricane Irma – including, potentially, the British Virgin Islands
A spokeswoman added: ‘[Today], another C17 will leave carrying two Puma helicopters. And the RFA Mounts Bay ship is due to arrive in the British Virgin Islands … bringing aid and helicopters to help deliver supplies.’
The Government explained that the Department for International Development’s disaster response centre was sending out supplies of aid to be loaded on to HMS Ocean, which has been diverted from the Mediterranean to head for the Caribbean to help with the disaster relief efforts.
The aid heading for HMS Ocean includes 10,000 buckets and 5,000 solar lanterns, the spokeswoman said.