标签： Bahamas

As Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc across the central and southeast Bahamas, Prime Minister Philip Davis assured the nation of the government’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding and recovery. Addressing Parliament, Davis emphasized the resilience of the Bahamian people and the government’s preparedness to provide relief once the storm subsided. Forecasters indicated that Melissa, which had weakened to a Category Two hurricane, was expected to leave Bahamian waters by early morning. ‘We know the toll these storms can take, but we also know the strength of our people,’ Davis declared. ‘Whatever happens, we will rebuild, recover, and rise again.’ The hurricane, which had previously devastated Jamaica and Cuba, prompted one of the largest evacuations in recent Bahamian history, with 1,485 residents relocated before flights were suspended. While some evacuees reported challenges such as long waits and poor communication, Minister of Disaster Risk Management Leon Lundy affirmed the success of the evacuation process, highlighting the discipline and coordination involved. Davis also expressed solidarity with Jamaica and Cuba, acknowledging their support during past crises like Hurricane Dorian. He underscored the storm as a stark reminder of the urgent threat posed by climate change and reiterated his commitment to advocating for climate justice and fair financing for small island states. Lundy noted that shelters were well-stocked and communication systems remained operational throughout the crisis.

Elias Fritz, a 19-year-old TikTok influencer with over 300,000 followers, must wait until mid-November to discover if he will be granted bail on charges of attempted murder and armed robbery. Known online as “Jaido World,” Fritz appeared before Senior Justice Cheryl Grant Thompson, who announced that the bail decision will be delivered on November 12. Fritz and a 16-year-old co-defendant are accused of attempting to rob Theodore Fernander of his white Honda Odyssey on August 11 and trying to kill him during the incident. Additionally, both face charges of firearm and ammunition possession and the attempted murder of two police officers. The arrests followed a high-speed police chase that ended when the suspects’ vehicle crashed into a utility pole on Eastern Road. Officers from Operation Black Scorpion initially spotted the suspects speeding near Ida Street and Robinson Road in a white Japanese vehicle without headlights. When police attempted to stop the car, the suspects fled, leading to a pursuit. During the chase, another patrol unit encountered a motorist on Robinson Road who had been shot by occupants of a vehicle matching the one being pursued. Three suspects, including Fritz, were arrested at the scene. Fritz’s voluntary bill of indictment is scheduled for service on November 21 before Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville.

Residents across the Central and Southeast Bahamas endured the brunt of Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday, as the Category Two storm unleashed heavy rainfall, powerful winds, and the looming threat of severe flooding. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology issued Alert #24, warning of sustained winds reaching 100 miles per hour, storm surges, and up to ten inches of rainfall. The hurricane, moving northeast at 15 miles per hour, impacted several islands, including Ragged Island, Long Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Rum Cay, and San Salvador. By mid-afternoon, the storm’s core passed approximately 25 miles east-southeast of Duncan Town, Ragged Island, and 60 miles south-southwest of South Long Island, bringing hurricane conditions to the region. On Long Island, residents reported worsening weather, with tropical-storm-strength gusts and power outages. Ann Cartwright, a resident of Gray’s, described the situation as calm but overcast, with winds exceeding 30 miles per hour. Meanwhile, Jill Smith of Stella Maris highlighted repeated power cuts and rapidly deteriorating conditions, particularly in the southern part of the island, where residents faced water and electricity shortages ahead of the storm. In Exuma, Princess McKenzie noted continuous rainfall since 4 a.m., while Gary Rolle expressed resilience despite the panic caused by the hurricane. On Acklins, Island Administrator Herman Gilbert confirmed that 194 residents chose to remain behind despite evacuation efforts, citing poor communication due to weather-related disruptions. Ragged Island residents were evacuated earlier in the week, with evacuees staying with family in New Providence. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis issued a mandatory evacuation order under the Disaster Risk Management (Evacuation – Southeast Bahamas) Order 2025, relocating over 1,400 residents from Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, and Ragged Island. The order prioritized the elderly, sick, and children, with Davis emphasizing the government’s commitment to public safety. Although Hurricane Melissa weakened as it moved north, authorities urged residents to remain vigilant as damage assessments continue.

The Bahamian government’s decision to fund accommodations for a group of citizens stranded in Jamaica during Hurricane Melissa has ignited widespread criticism, particularly from a grieving family struggling to repatriate their loved one’s remains from Haiti. The controversy centers on the government’s assistance to approximately 50 Bahamians who attended a wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica, while others in similar situations claim they were left without support. The wedding group, which included relatives of former Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield, received accommodations at the Dreams Rose Hall Resort & Spa as Hurricane Melissa approached. However, other Bahamians in Jamaica reported receiving no aid, with one traveler expressing frustration online about having to cover her own expenses despite arriving on the same flight. Meanwhile, Sherry Russell of Moore’s Island revealed her family’s three-month struggle to bring home her brother Joey’s body from Haiti, where he was killed in July. The family has spent over $7,000 on related costs but claims their requests for government assistance have gone unanswered. The disparity in aid has fueled anger, with Ms. Russell questioning why the government prioritized the wedding group over her family’s urgent needs. Former Foreign Minister Darren Henfield defended the assistance, stating that Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper helped secure accommodations for those unable to afford extended stays.

Bahamas Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Frazier has defended the controversial decision to impose a non-custodial sentence on wealthy American businessman James Finkl, who was convicted of firearm-related offenses. Finkl, the former head of global steel giant Finkl Steel, admitted to bringing 14 firearms and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition into The Bahamas aboard his yacht in Bimini last week. Despite public outcry, Frazier emphasized that sentencing is based on individual case merits, not wealth or nationality. She highlighted Finkl’s medical issues as a key factor in the decision, stating that a prison sentence would have been impractical. Frazier also noted that mandatory minimum sentences for firearm offenses have been abolished, and fines have been imposed on Bahamians in similar cases when justified. The ruling has sparked debate, with some senior lawyers labeling it ‘highly irregular.’ Frazier cited a 2022 Court of Appeal case involving a diabetic American man, Ronald Ralph Moorhead Jr, whose prison sentence was reduced due to medical concerns. While the court acknowledged firearm offenses typically warrant jail time, it stressed that Moorhead’s case was exceptional and not a precedent. Frazier reiterated that magistrates retain discretion to impose non-custodial sentences when circumstances warrant, but custodial sentences remain the standard for such crimes.