Show caption Foreign secretary Boris Johnson speaks to Royal Marines of 40 Commando in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands after Hurricane Irma. The marines have helped round more than 100 escaped prisoners. Photograph: LPhot Joel Rouse/MoD Crown Copyr/PA British Virgin Islands More than 100 escaped British Virgin Islands prisoners rounded up Local police joined by Royal Marines in operation to restore law and order to island in wake of Hurricane Irma Press Association Fri 15 Sep 2017 06.23 BST Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share via Email 3 years old

More than 100 prisoners have been captured after escaping from a jail on the British Virgin Islands during the chaos of Hurricane Irma.



The governor of the islands said the prisoners of Balsam Ghut prison, in Tortola, were captured on Thursday. It followed an operation by British Virgin Island and Cayman Island police officers, alongside British Royal Marines and police.

Gus Jaspert, the governor of the British Virgin Islands, said: “The government of the British Virgin Islands is extremely grateful to the police and military personnel for their tireless efforts, which have resulted in a thorough and extremely successful operation.

“I extend our gratitude to the UK and Cayman Island governments for their provision of personnel on the ground here, helping to ensure the safety and security of all British Virgin Islanders.

“This signals a huge step in all of our efforts to rebuild this fantastic territory.”

Some of the destruction in Road Town, Tortola, on the British Virgin Islands. Photograph: JOEL ROUSE /BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE/HANDOUT/EPA

The news comes after British Virgin Islanders said they were “terrified” of the prisoners, who escaped because of the damage caused by Irma. They said looting had been “terrible” and claimed escaped prisoners had committed a rape while on the loose.

Shanelle Williams, who took 15 people into her home in the wake of the hurricane, said: “You go into the town, they crash and they open up and stealing everything.

“But since the military came it has calmed down, but the only issue right now is these prisoners are out.

“They have already raped someone and they have already tried to steal from people, it is terrifying.”

One woman, who did not want to be named, said she did not feel safe after the hurricane.