KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) — Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves Monday night confirmed that there had been one death associated with the passage of Hurricane Beryl, saying also “there could be more fatalities” on the Grenadine island of Bequia.

The Grenadines include 32 islands, the largest of which are Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, and Union. Some of the smaller islands are privately owned.

“Sadly, it has been reported…we do not know all the details, that one person died. There may well be more fatalities, we are not yet sure,” said Gonsalves in an address to the nation, describing the hurricane as “devastating and dangerous,” leaving in its wake “immense destruction, pain, suffering across our nation at this hour.”

“Union Island has been devastated. The reports I have received indicate that 90 per cent of the houses have been severely damaged or destroyed,” he said, adding that many buildings  – including the airport building  – have had their roofs destroyed.

He also told the nation that the reconstruction exercise begins on Tuesday and that he has had encouraging support from regional countries as Kingstown starts the rebuilding exercise.