Dominica PM says at least 20 killed in tropical storm

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said Friday at least 20 people had been killed by Tropical Storm Erika as it passed over his tiny Caribbean nation sowing a trail of “monumental” destruction.

“The visual damage I saw today, I fear, may have set our development process back by 20 years,” Skerrit said in an address to the nation, after surveying the island.

“Of greatest concern however, is the loss of life. So far we have confirmed that at least 20 citizens have died, and some are missing,” he said.

Skerrit reported that massive damage had been inflicted on key infrastructure facilities and roads, and that “hundreds of homes around the country have been destroyed or rendered unsafe to occupy.”

Highways had sustained widespread damage and bridges had been washed away, he said.

“I have been assessing the damage all day. The extent of devastation is monumental. It is far worse that expected” he said.