Death toll at Jamaica rises

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has vowed to restore order after fighting between police, the military and drug gangs claimed the lives of at least 60 people.

According to the local hospitals, the dead and the injured were mainly civilians caught up in the gun battles as the police and army continue their search for suspected drug baron Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who is wanted in the United States on drug-trafficking charges.

According to BTN, Police have officially put the death toll at 27, but Mr Golding warned the figures would inevitably rise. Hospital confirmed they had received about 50 dead bodies and witnesses told of a truck with another 12 corpses on board.

The Jamaican government has declared a state of emergency in the capital while the Foreign Office (FCO) is advising against all but essential travel to the capital and the British High Commission has been temporarily closed.

However the main tourist areas remain safe and well isolated from the trouble hotspots, more than 100 miles from Kingston.

26.05.10