Irma kills at least 10 in Caribbean

At least 10 people have been killed by Hurricane Irma as it pummels the Caribbean and the toll is expected to rise after daybreak.

Hurricane Irma has killed at least 10 people, including eight in French Caribbean island territories.

Speaking on French radio France Info, French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said on Thursday the death toll in Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthelemy could be higher because rescue teams had yet to finish their inspection of the islands.

"The reconnaissance will really start at daybreak," Collomb said.

He said 23 had been reported injured on the islands.

Elsewhere in the Caribbean, one person was killed on Barbuda and a surfer was reported dead on Barbados.