KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Government has expressed deep condolences to the families of Alrick Moncrieffe and Kayon Sterling, who died during the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

Moncrieffe, 20, and Sterling, 26, died on Wednesday when the Category 4 storm made landfall in Jamaica.

It was reported that Moncrieffe was among a group of men playing football in Arnett Gardens, St Andrew when he attempted to retrieve a football from a gully and was washed away by floodwaters.

READ: Man washed away by flood waters in Arnett Gardens after attempting to retrieve football from gully

Sterling was killed when a tree came down on her house in Hanover, and a limb fell on her. A family member reportedly discovered the body and summoned the police. Sterling was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

READ: Hanover woman killed by falling tree limb during Hurricane Beryl

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time. Hurricane Beryl has brought significant hardship to our nation, and any loss of life is a profound tragedy,” the Office of the Prime Minister said in a release on Friday.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sports, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, on behalf of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, contacted Moncrieffe’s family following the tragedy and offered critical support. However, she was unable to establish direct contact with Sterling’s family due to connectivity issues in Hanover, the release said.

Minister Grange noted that the members of the Administration were deeply saddened when they were informed of the deaths.

“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones. We stand with them in this time of grief and sorrow,” she said.

She added that the Government is committed to providing support to the affected families and the broader communities as Jamaica navigates the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.