Aid ship to leave Hull for hurricane-hit Caribbean

Hurricane Beryl hit the Caribbean earlier this month, killing at least 10 people and flattening homes

A ship carrying aid for Caribbean islands hit by Hurricane Beryl will leave Hull next week.

The tropical storm battered several islands including Jamaica, St Vincent and Grenada with heavy rain and winds up to 130mph (215km/h) earlier this month.

The Beautranga, a 387ft (118m) freightliner filled with food, water storage and filtration systems as well as shelters for those left homeless, is being sent to the region.

Andy Thorne, CEO of the Essex-based shipping company Kestrel Liner Agencies, which operates from a number of Caribbean sites, said: "I have been humbled by the way our team on the ground in the Caribbean has mobilised itself to assist the communities it serves."

The Beautranga freightliner is expected to depart Hull for the Caribbean early next week

"The least we can do from the UK is to support those efforts," he added.

Hurricane Beryl left a trail of devastation across the Caribbean, killing at least 10 people.

Mr Thorne said he had a "personal and professional affinity with the Caribbean", which he said goes back to when he founded the company 30 years ago.

An exact departure date for the ship has not been confirmed.

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