As a result of Hurricane Dorian the official death count in The Bahamas is 43 – 35 in Abaco and eight in Grand Bahama.

We acknowledge that there are many missing and that the number of deaths is expected to significantly increase.

This is one of the stark realities we are facing in this hour of darkness.

The loss of life we are experiencing is catastrophic and devastating. The grief we will bear as a country begins with the families who have lost loved ones. We will meet them in this time of sorrow with open arms and walk by their sides every step of the way.  

To those who have lost loved ones, I know there is absolutely nothing we can say that will lessen your pain and loss. We offer you our shoulders to cry on, our prayers of comfort and our promise that your loved ones will never be forgotten.  

I ask the media and the country to respect the loss of life. The families need to grieve.

We will provide accurate, timely information on the loss of life as it is available. We will first and foremost put the priority on notifying families and giving them the help they need to grieve.

I ask the Bahamian people to join me in grieving this horrible loss.

Let us pray for the dead and their families.

6 September 2019
Office of the Prime Minister
Commonwealth of The Bahamas