European countries step up Hurricane Irma relief effort

European countries are boosting relief efforts in their Caribbean territories devastated by Hurricane Irma, amid criticism over the response.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who is visiting French islands that took the full force of the storm, said a huge "airlift" was bringing more aid.

UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson is due in the Caribbean and Dutch King Willem‑Alexander spent the night there.

Irma killed at least 23 people in the three countries' overseas territories.

The victims include 10 dead on the French island of Saint Barthélémy and on the French part of Saint Martin ‑ which is shared with the Netherlands.

As he arrived on the neighboring French island of Guadeloupe, President Macron said the government had responded with "one of the biggest airlifts since World War Two".

Critics had accused Macron of not doing enough to help nationals affected by the hurricane.

The UK government has faced similar complaints following the death of at least nine people on British territories.

Source: BBC