At least a dozen people have been confirmed dead as a result of torrential rains that swept accross the Eastern Caribbean islands of St Vincent, St Lucia and Dominica.
With emergency personnel still trying to get a clear picture of the damage in St Vincent, which appeared to be the hardest hit, up to midday on Christmas Day officials confirmed recovering seven bodies and were still looking for three others who were reported missing.
In St Lucia, where the heavy rains began on Christmas Eve, reports were that a police officer had died after being crushed by a falling wall, while rescue personnel were said to be trying to locate two other missing people in the villages of Grace and Micoud.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Media Corporation reported yesterday that Prime Minister of St Vincent Dr Ralph Gonsalves had cut short a visit to Europe and was expected back home today as the death toll from the rains over the past 48 hours reached seven. (RRM)