PARIS (AP) – The French government is defending its handling of the hurricane crisis in the French Caribbean islands of St. Martin and St. Barts, after being criticized by opponents for not preparing enough beforehand and by locals who felt abandoned by authorities amid the devastation.
Government spokesman Christophe Castaner, speaking Sunday with Europe1-CNews-Les Echos, said he “perfectly (understood) the anger” of residents after Hurricane Irma tore through the islands, killing nine people, destroying houses and cutting off the water supply. Extra troops had to be sent to stop subsequent looting. Another four people were killed on St. Maarten, the Dutch side of St. Martin.
But Castaner insisted President Emmanuel Macron’s government deployed robust emergency planning and equipment, with emergency help given “first priority.” He said officials had known of the “extremely high risk” days in advance and had mobilized military and health care personnel in nearby Guadeloupe.
Castaner said many islanders were suffering from “an impact of emotional shock, an impact that’s extremely hard psychologically.”
Far right leader Marine Le Pen, who lost the presidency to Macron in May, accused the government on Saturday of having “totally insufficient” emergency and security measures in place.