Dorian leaves 30 dead in Bahamas: prime minister

UN says 70,000 people in "immediate need" of aid

NASSAU, BAHAMAS: The death toll from Hurricane Dorian has risen to 30 in the Bahamas, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis told American network CNN on Thursday.

Authorities had previously reported 20 dead, but have warned that the final figure is sure to be far higher.

Minnis has said that the storm caused "generational devastation."

The United Nations said 70,000 people in the Bahamas were in "immediate need" of aid.

Dorian, currently a Category 2 storm, was pounding the US states of North and South Carolina on Thursday night with strong winds and driving rain, bringing dangerous storm surge.

A man cycles passed damaged houses caused by Hurricane Dorian on September 5, 2019, in Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. PHOTO: AFP

People try to salvage construction material in houses damaged by Hurricane Dorian on September 5, 2019, in Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. PHOTO: AFP

A man walks past damages caused by Hurricane Dorian on September 5, 2019, in Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. PHOTO: AFP

A view of damages left by Hurricane Dorian September 5, 2019, in Marsh Harbor, Great Abaco. PHOTO: AFP

An aerial view of damage from Hurricane Dorian on September 5, 2019, in Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. PHOTO: AFP

A view of floods and damages from Hurricane Dorian at Marsh Harbor airport September 5, 2019, in Marsh Harbor, Great Abaco. PHOTO: AFP

Chef Jose Andres carries food relief while working with his charity group World Central Kitchen to help survivors of Hurricane Dorian September 5, 2019, in Marsh Harbor, Great Abaco, Bahamas. PHOTO: AFP