PARIS, Spet. 8 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of hurricane Irma, the most powerful storm in a century, has climbed to nine and at least seven were reported missing in France's overseas islands of Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy, French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb sid on Friday.
According to Collomb, the latest death toll report showed that "at this stage, it is nine (dead)," "We have seven missing and 112 people were injured, two seriously," he added.
Earlier this week, Irma, with maximum sustained wind speed of 360 km per hour, demolished French Caribbean islands through its path before downgrading from category 5 to category 4 early on Friday.
The French government has sent rescue teams including firefighters and medical staff to the areas, according to local media.
In a statement, the Elysee Palace said President Emmanuel Macron will fly to the destroyed French islands "as soon as possible."
