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STORM HELL

Chaos in the streets of St Martin as starving islanders fight for last scraps of food – as Brit troops are sent to Caribbean

Up to 600 looters went on the rampage in the Dutch-French territory of Saint Martin

VICTIMS of Hurricane Irma are fighting for dwindling supplies of food and water, it has been reported.

And 40 "high risk" escaped prisoners were also reportedly running amok in the British Virgin Islands, which were battered by 185mph winds last week.

Soldiers deployed to the region say they frequently have to chase looters
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Soldiers deployed to the region say they frequently have to chase lootersCredit: AFP or licensors
These looters were caught ​raiding electronic goods from stores after the hurricane
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These looters were caught ​raiding electronic goods from stores after the hurricaneCredit: Facebook
A man sits on a porch in Philipsburg after the passing of Hurricane Irma in St Martin
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A man sits on a porch in Philipsburg after the passing of Hurricane Irma in St MartinCredit: AP:Associated Press
Residents observe the damage left by in Philipsburg, St Martin
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Residents observe the damage left by in Philipsburg, St MartinCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Boats in St Martin lay washed up on the beach after the passage of Hurricane Irma
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Boats in St Martin lay washed up on the beach after the passage of Hurricane IrmaCredit: AP:Associated Press

The news comes as more than 700 British troops were deployed to the Caribbean to help the Hurricane Irma rescue effort — and stop marauding gangs of armed looters.

Other devastated islands in the region saw widespread rioting, including the Dutch-French territory of Saint Martin, where up to 600 looters went on the rampage.

One soldier said he was “stopping a looter every ten minutes”.

Sir Richard Branson’s son Sam, 32, who is co-ordinating a rescue effort to help Brits in the region, told how violent prisoners had escaped on Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands.

He said: “It’s really sad to say that there is a lot of civil unrest. Unfortunately some of the prisoners have escaped and are now armed.”

Royal Marines from 40 Commando were among troops helping distribute vital supplies.

Royal Marines from 59 Commando Squadron, supporting the local community in Tortola, in the British Virgin Isles
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Royal Marines from 59 Commando Squadron, supporting the local community in Tortola, in the British Virgin IslesCredit: PA:Press Association
A woman in tears as she waits to board a plane and leave the island after it was devastated by Hurricane Irma
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A woman in tears as she waits to board a plane and leave the island after it was devastated by Hurricane IrmaCredit: Reuters
Troops talk to local residents on the storm-ravaged isle
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Troops talk to local residents on the storm-ravaged isleCredit: PA:Press Association
Locals in the British Virgin Isles have had their homes devastated by Hurricane Irma
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Locals in the British Virgin Isles have had their homes devastated by Hurricane IrmaCredit: PA:Press Association
Business tycoon Sir Richard Branson posted videos of the destruction in Necker Island
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 Business tycoon Sir Richard Branson posted videos of the destruction in Necker IslandCredit: PA:Press Association
Floods cut off the stricken Keys, where mortuary teams were sent in
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Floods cut off the stricken Keys, where mortuary teams were sent inCredit: AP:Associated Press

Three RAF flights were yesterday dispatched with more aid and soldiers, while medical staff were sent to a makeshift hospital on board support ship RFA Mounts Bay.

HMS Ocean was also due to sail from Gibraltar today loaded with 200 pallets of much-needed supplies.

But, as his business guru father shared videos of his wrecked home on Necker Island, Sam urged the UK Government to do more.

Supplies are being shipped to the areas affected
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Supplies are being shipped to the areas affectedCredit: PA:Press Association
Havana was one of the areas hit badly by the hurricane
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Havana was one of the areas hit badly by the hurricaneCredit: AFP
Road Town in the British Virgin Isles was devastated
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Road Town in the British Virgin Isles was devastatedCredit: AFP

He warned of a “monumental task ahead”, adding: “It is the BRITISH Virgin Islands!! Evacuations and supplies desperately needed!”

Irma was yesterday downgraded to a tropical storm as it continued to charge through Florida.

It had landed as a Category 4 hurricane on the 113 mile-long chain of coral Florida Key islands, leaving homes and cars underwater.

Troops have been dealing with civil unrest
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Troops have been dealing with civil unrestCredit: PA:Press Association

More than 200,000 people were yesterday waiting in shelters while 5.8million were left without power.

Five Americans have so far been declared dead but rescuers sent in mortuary teams — fearing more victims would be found.

Florida Keys has been cut off by floodwater and has no internet or phone signal, making it impossible to gauge the level of destruction.

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Emergency management director Martin Senterfitt called the devastation a “humanitarian crisis”. Irma also left the city of Naples under­water, deluged the popular Brit ­tourist spot of Orlando and caused record storm surges in Jacksonville.

Hurricane Irma caused 185mph winds
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Hurricane Irma caused 185mph windsCredit: AFP

Meghan Markle’s half-sister Samantha, from Silver Springs, was among those with no water or power. The ex-actress, who is in a wheelchair, said she needed to go to hospital after suffering kidney problems.

Florida Governor Rick Scott warned that it was too dangerous for people to venture outside.

At least 32 suspects — some armed — were arrested for looting, including 28 in Miami.

The National Hurricane Center predicted yesterday the storm would cross into South West Georgia as it weakens.

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