Sint Maarten not ready for new hurricane season: Dutch PM

Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited Sint Eustatius, Saba and Sint Maarten. Reconstruction following the devastation left by Hurricane Irma is still in full swing on the three islands, which form part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, RTL Nieuws reports.

According to Rutte, "a lot still needs to be done". In a video posted on Twitter, the Prime Minister expressed his concern about the new hurricane season starting next month. "A new hurricane season is threatening, and then we have to be prepared for the worst. There must be sufficient shelter capacity, and that is no yet sufficiently the case."

"With our own eyes we have seen here how great the impact of hurricanes Irma and Maria is", Rutte said in a press statement. He added that he is deeply impressed by the resilience of the island residents, especially the people of Sint Maarten, which was hit hard by hurricane Irma.