KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has pledged to ensure an accurate count of Jamaicans who lost their lives due to Hurricane Melissa, even if it requires exhuming bodies. This commitment was made during a session in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, following reports that communities severely affected by the October 28 hurricane have begun burying uncollected remains. Holness was responding to inquiries from Dr. Dayton Campbell, Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Eastern, regarding the death toll and the process of retrieving bodies. The official death toll currently stands at 32, with 25 of these fatalities occurring in Campbell’s constituency. Holness acknowledged that while the Red Cross considers the death toll relatively low for a Category Five hurricane, there are still unaccounted deaths and unrecovered bodies. He emphasized the importance of proper identification and determination of death, stating, “We will recover all bodies even if we have to exhume them.” Holness also warned that the final death count may be higher than currently reported, particularly in isolated communities. Campbell raised concerns about the adequacy of the government’s response in retrieving bodies, noting that funeral homes and community members had to step in. Holness assured that a forensic team is actively working on the ground to address these issues and provide closure to affected families.