September 12, 2017 – British Virgin Islands – More than 100 inmates are believed have escaped a prison on the British Virgin Islands after the building was blown open by Hurricane Irma.
As many as 120 prisoners may have fled the ‘partially destroyed’ site on the island of Tortola as the storm wreaked another day of devastation on the Caribbean.
It is unknown whether the prisoners fled for their own safety as the hurricane caused devastation across the islands.
The prison is believed to house up to 200 inmates in total.
More than £1billion worth of damage has been caused to the British Virgin Islands as the eye of Irma crossed over the region.
Police officers based in the UK are being sent to the country’s overseas territory to aid with the response.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “Following official requests made through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, British police officers will be providing support to the British Virgin Islands Police Force.
“Two members of the UK police cadre, who offer support to the military in times of international crisis, flew out yesterday evening (Friday) with a further 53 British officers, from 14 police forces, due to depart Brize Norton tomorrow (Sunday), in cooperation with the MOD.”
Hurricane Irma has damaged and left behind rubble in some Carribean islands, killing 24 people.
