Royal Navy ship heads for Cayman Islands to aid Hurricane Beryl relief efforts
At least seven people were killed when the powerful storm tore through islands in the south-east Caribbean.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Royal Navy warship has set sail to the Cayman Islands to support Hurricane Beryl relief efforts after the powerful storm tore through islands in the south-east Caribbean, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
The hurricane has wreaked damage in the region and killed at least seven people so far across Grenada, Carriacou, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Venezuela.
It was predicted to pass just south of the Cayman Islands overnight and, on Thursday morning, its eye was approximately 500 miles east-southeast of Tulum, Mexico.
HMS Trent, an offshore patrol vessel, is scheduled to arrive in the Cayman Islands this weekend with the crew set to help communities affected by flooding and storm damage.
The storm, previously rated Category 5, could bring winds of more than 155mph to the area, according to the MoD.
HMS Trent departed from Puerto Rico on Wednesday carrying bottled water, basic emergency supplies and other equipment, with more than 50 sailors on board.
Personnel include a team from 700X Naval Air Squadron who will be able to “conduct airborne reconnaissance”, and assess damage from above, to support members of 24 Commando Royal Engineers who are also on board, the MoD said.
A specialist Rapid Deployment Team has already travelled to the Eastern Caribbean to provide consular assistance to affected British nationals, the government department added.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are understood to be donating privately to Hurricane Beryl relief efforts.