hurricane maria

Study finds nearly 3,000 died within 6 months after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico

Tuesday, August 28, 2018
An independent investigation ordered by Puerto Rico's government estimates that 2,975 people died within six months as a result of Hurricane Maria.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- An independent investigation ordered by Puerto Rico's government estimates that 2,975 people died within six months as a result of Hurricane Maria.

The findings issued Tuesday by the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University contrast sharply with the official death toll of 64.

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It's also about double the government's previous interim estimate of 1,400.

Researchers say there was a 22 percent overall increase in the number of deaths from September 2017 to February 2018 compared to previous years.

They say the initial low counts came partly because physicians lacked training on how to certify deaths after a disaster.
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They say the elderly and impoverished were most at risk.



A spokesman for Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello did not immediately return a message for comment.

PHOTOS: Hurricane Maria pummels the Caribbean
People walk next to a gas station flooded and damaged by the impact of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, Wednesday, September 20, 2017.none
People walk through a flooded area after the impact of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, Wednesday, September 20, 2017.none
Residents move aluminum panels from an intersection after Hurricane Maria hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017.none
Electricity poles and lines lay toppled on the road after Hurricane Maria hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017.none
People walk next to a gas station flooded and damaged by the impact of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, Wednesday, September 20, 2017.none
A family helps clean the road after Hurricane Maria hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, September 20, 2017.none
Trees stand barren and debris lays on the roadside, caused by Hurricane Maria in Road Town, on the island of Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, early Wednesday, Sept. 20.none
A woman covers herself with a plastic bag as she makes her way to work as Hurricane Maria approaches the coast of Bavaro, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017.none
A man rescues a rooster from his flooded garage as Hurricane Maria hits Puerto Rico in Fajardo, on September 20, 2017.none
David Cruz Marrero watches the waves at Punta Santiago pier hours before the imminent impact of Maria on Tuesday, September 19, 2017.none
A woman and a child rest on cots while waiting at Humacao Arena refugee center for the imminent impact of Maria in in Humacao, Puerto Rico on Tuesday.none
People on the island of Martinique survey the effects of Hurricane Maria on Tuesday.none
The island of Guadeloupe suffers flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on Tuesday.none
A picture shows an uprooted tree on the beach in Saint-Pierre, on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, after it was hit by Hurricane Maria, on September 19, 2017.Creative Content
A picture shows damages at a restaurant in Le Carbet, on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, after it was hit by Hurricane Maria, on September 19, 2017.Creative Content
People stand next to debris at a restaurant in Le Carbet, on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, after it was hit by Hurricane Maria, on September 19, 2017.Creative Content
People clear debris in Saint-Pierre, on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, after it was hit by Hurricane Maria, on September 19, 2017.Creative Content
A picture taken on September 19, 2017 shows the powerful winds and rains of hurricane Maria battering the city of Petit-Bourg on the French overseas Caribbean island of GuadeloupeCreative Content
A photo shows debris in a street in Marigot, on the French Caribbean island of Saint Martin, as preparations are made for the arrival of Hurricane Maria on September 19, 2017.Creative Content


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