标签： Bahamas

As Hurricane Melissa approached Jamaica, Bahamian nationals on the island were making urgent preparations to weather the storm. The Bahamas Consulate in Kingston, led by Consul General Alveta Knight, worked tirelessly to account for all Bahamians across Jamaica and deliver essential supplies to students remaining at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus. Ms. Knight described the deteriorating weather conditions in Kingston as a mix of light showers and strong winds, with an overcast sky setting the scene. Despite the calm appearance, the consulate was in full emergency mode, distributing flashlights and radios to students in anticipation of power outages. Stores across the capital had closed, making it challenging to secure items like power banks. The consulate also monitored a group of Bahamians stranded in Montego Bay after airports were closed, working to find them accommodations until flights resumed. Jamaica’s Ministry of Transport provided continuous weather updates, and the government’s no-price-gouging policy ensured basic supplies remained affordable. At UWI Mona Campus, about 20 Bahamian students chose to stay, while 76 were evacuated earlier. Victoria Jean-Jacques, president of the Bahamian Students Association, emphasized the importance of communication and preparedness, noting that students were calm but anxious. Care packages containing water, snacks, and emergency supplies were delivered to students by Ms. Knight. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield, who was in Jamaica for a family wedding, urged Bahamians in the southern Bahamas to heed evacuation advice, drawing lessons from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. Ms. Knight called for prayers as the hurricane strengthened, emphasizing the need for safety and vigilance.

Communities and officials across the southern Bahamas are bracing for Hurricane Melissa, with a mix of preparedness, stress, and apprehension as the storm looms. Dr. Roelof Bruintjes, an atmospheric scientist from the National Center for Atmospheric Research, emphasized the need for vigilance, urging residents to transition from ‘monitor’ to ‘action’ mode if the hurricane shifts northward earlier than anticipated. ‘The southern Bahamas must remain on high alert and begin preliminary preparations,’ he stated. ‘Once the storm’s northern trajectory is confirmed, immediate action will be necessary.’ Dr. Bruintjes explained that hurricanes function as ‘heat engines,’ weakening over land due to disrupted rotation and loss of heat sources, particularly when interacting with mountainous terrain. ‘Jamaica will bear significant impact, but the storm will lose its intensity as it moves inland,’ he added. High-pressure systems have temporarily slowed the hurricane’s progress, but it is expected to move northward as weather fronts shift. In Mayaguana, Chief Councillor Vincent Murphy confirmed that preparations, including the readiness of shelters, would be completed by Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, on Crooked Island, resident Kirkwood McKinney Sr criticized the lack of backup power capacity, describing it as ‘gross negligence’ by the Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) management. Despite the challenges, McKinney vowed to remain on the island, citing lingering trauma from Hurricane Joaquin. In Acklins, PLP Branch Chairman Henry Rolle announced plans for evacuations in vulnerable communities, highlighting the island’s lack of proper hurricane shelters and calling for government action to address the issue.

A woman captured on video violently assaulting her young son is set to appear in court today, following widespread public outrage sparked by the disturbing footage. The video, which circulated on social media over the weekend, depicts the woman slamming, kicking, and stomping on the crying child, who is believed to be her son. In one harrowing scene, she throws him to the ground as he wails in pain. Another clip shows her dragging him by the hair, slamming his face into a door, and later stomping on his head. The woman, described as having a slim build, is also seen picking up a rock and seemingly threatening the person recording the incident, while a man’s voice is heard in the background. The video quickly went viral, garnering over 1,000 shares and thousands of comments within hours. Viewers expressed shock and disgust, labeling the footage “sickening” and “unbearable to watch.” Many called for her immediate arrest and harsher penalties for child abuse. Police confirmed the woman’s arrest and charges, stating that she is due in court today. While the investigation remains ongoing, authorities have declined to provide additional details.

In response to the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Melissa, Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis has declared a mandatory evacuation for residents in the southeastern Bahamas. The order, effective from October 27, 2025, until November 1, 2025, or until further notice, targets the islands of Inagua, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Mayaguana, and Ragged Island. The government has assured that transportation will be provided to relocate evacuees to New Providence, where shelters and family support services are prepared. Priority evacuation is being given to the most vulnerable populations, including the sick, elderly, and children, followed by other residents. This evacuation is enforced under the Disaster Risk Management (Evacuation – Southeast Bahamas) Order, 2025, as per section 56 of the Disaster Risk Management Act 2022. Authorities are urging residents to comply promptly to ensure safety and minimize potential risks associated with the hurricane.

After years of setbacks, Abaco’s highly anticipated multipurpose hurricane shelter has officially opened its doors, marking a significant step forward in the region’s disaster preparedness efforts. The facility, located in Central Pines, Marsh Harbour, was formally handed over to the public during a ceremony held yesterday. Designed to withstand Category Five hurricanes, the shelter spans over 12,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 600 people. Strategically situated on one of the highest points in Marsh Harbour, it minimizes flood risks and features essential amenities such as wheelchair ramps, bathrooms, and a medical room. Minister of State for Disaster Risk Preparedness Leon Lundy emphasized that the shelter was built in response to the vulnerabilities exposed by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which left many families stranded on rooftops. He described the facility as both a tribute to those lost during the disaster and a beacon of resilience for the community. The project, initially estimated at $1.8 million, faced numerous delays and cost overruns, with the final price tag reaching $4.5 million. Funding was partially provided by international partners, including a $1 million donation from the Indian government. The shelter is the first of several planned facilities aimed at addressing shelter shortages in Abaco. During the ceremony, officials highlighted its dual purpose: serving as a safe haven during storms and a community hub for training, meetings, and youth programs in normal times. The government also approved a $17 million transfer to the Disaster Emergency Fund, signaling a renewed commitment to improving national disaster response. Attendees, including representatives from India, the United Nations, and China, praised The Bahamas for its dedication to climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

The family of Miguel Campoy, a Spanish-American sailor who vanished at sea six weeks ago, has expressed growing frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation. Campoy, 56, disappeared on September 6 while sailing his 44-foot blue-hulled vessel, Hella, from South Abaco to New Providence. His last known communication with relatives was around 6 p.m., when he reported calm conditions and anticipated a longer-than-expected journey.

Both the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and the United States Coast Guard conducted search operations for approximately a week before suspending their efforts. The family subsequently initiated a private search, deploying airplanes over the area for an additional fifteen days. Despite these efforts, no significant findings have been made, aside from the recovery of Campoy’s dinghy, which was found adrift with personal belongings, including his passport, credit cards, and water supplies.

Miriam Campoy, Miguel’s sister, speculated that her brother may have intentionally left the sailboat due to an emergency, such as water ingress or a collision. However, the exact circumstances remain unclear. The dinghy is currently in the custody of the Western Division police, who have yet to provide any updates or conclusions to the family.

Ms. Campoy revealed that she has repeatedly contacted authorities, including an RBDF officer identified as Mr. Livingston, but has received no substantive information. She also noted that Spanish police have attempted to liaise with Bahamian authorities but have similarly been met with silence.

The family, desperate for closure, has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Campoy’s safe return and $2,000 for verified tips. They have distributed missing-person posters across The Bahamas and internationally, urging anyone with information to contact the RBDF, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, or email findmiguelcampoy@gmail.com.

Miguel Campoy, a dual citizen of Spain and the United States, was a seasoned sailor and qualified yacht captain who had lived aboard his vessel for seven years. His family described him as methodical and well-prepared, making his disappearance under calm weather conditions all the more perplexing.

The Campoy family has called for greater transparency from Bahamian authorities, emphasizing their desire to uncover the truth and, if necessary, recover his body. ‘We just need to know what happened,’ Ms. Campoy said, reflecting the family’s anguish and determination for answers.

The Court of Appeal has issued a scathing critique of the Registrar General’s handling of the Valley Boys Junkanoo registration dispute, labeling the situation as “beyond belief.” The court expressed astonishment that an unauthorized group could appropriate the name and legacy of one of the nation’s most revered cultural institutions without proper oversight. The appellate panel has granted leave for Brian Adderley, leader of the World Famous Valley Boys, to challenge a Supreme Court decision that dismissed their bid for judicial review. The justices emphasized that the lower court failed to grasp the gravity of the issues and the public significance of clarifying the Non-Profit Organisations Act, 2019 (NPO Act). The panel noted that the appeal has “excellent prospects of success” and that the interpretation of the NPO Act warrants judicial review in the interest of justice. The court’s ruling highlighted troubling irregularities, including the fact that the constitution of the newly registered group was filed weeks after its registration and that its first board meeting occurred six weeks later. These lapses, the judges argued, indicate a failure by the Registrar General to perform due diligence as mandated by the NPO Act. The immediate implications of the ruling remain uncertain but could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for the allocation of seed money for holiday parades. The dispute stems from a deep internal rift within the Valley Boys, a group founded in 1958 and led by Adderley since 2014. A faction led by Trevor Davis and Michael Foster accused Adderley’s team of mismanagement and non-compliance with the NPO Act, leading to the registration of a new entity under the same name in September 2023. Adderley’s group subsequently registered a separate non-profit to preserve their identity, but the Registrar General directed them to change their name, prompting the legal challenge. The Court of Appeal criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that it overlooked irregularities and failed to address the public interest in clarifying the NPO Act. The judges stressed that the original Valley Boys, recognized by government agencies and the public, should not have their identity usurped by an unauthorized group. The ruling reopens the leadership dispute and allows Adderley’s team to pursue a full appeal, with the court underscoring the case’s exceptional cultural importance and its potential impact on all Junkanoo groups and non-profits under the law.