Haiti death toll climbs to 24 after Tropical Storm Isaac

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) —



The Haitian government says at least 24 people have died in accidents related to Tropical Storm Isaac.



Haiti's Civil Protection Office said in a report today that the bulk of the deaths happened in the southeastern and western parts of the country.



Some of the victims were electrocuted and others died after objects fell on them.



Three people are missing.



The death toll has steadily increased in Haiti after Tropical Storm Isaac passed over the southern part of the country Saturday and caused extensive flooding.



Haiti's mountains are heavily deforested and so the country is prone to mudslides that sometimes turn fatal.



The new deaths put the total death toll of Isaac at 29.



Five people died in the neighbouring Dominican Republic.



Meanwhile, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies say they are focusing on the most vulnerable.



They have reportedly reached more than 50 of Haiti’s most at-risk camps in the aftermath of Isaac which battered the country on Friday night.



Dr. Michaële Gedeon, president of the Haitian Red Cross, said the role of the organization was to help those most in need.



“Those who remain in camps, and particularly pregnant women, children, people who have disabilities and older people, are hugely at risk when faced with the strong winds and heavy rain Isaac brought us,” she said.



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