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UPDATE: France lowers death toll from Irma in St Martin to 4, down from 8

Published:Thursday | September 7, 2017 | 12:00 AM
This September 6 photo shows storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in St Martin. Irma cut a path of devastation across the northern Caribbean, leaving thousands homeless after destroying buildings and uprooting trees. – AP Photo

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said that four people were confirmed dead in St Martin, lowering a previous toll of eight deaths given by local rescue officials.

Philippe said around 50 people were injured, including two seriously, on St Martin and the nearby smaller island of St Barts.

He said officials were in the process of identifying the four dead, adding that no deaths were reported from St Barts.

The French Prime Minister described the disaster from Hurricane Irma as unimaginable and unprecedented.

He says on St Martin 60 per cent of homes have been damaged so badly that they are uninhabitable.

Power is cut across St Martin as well as supplies of potable water and petrol.

Roads are either partly or totally impassable, he added.

However, the harbour and airport are back in use.