Puerto Rico hurricane death toll now 43

Puerto Rico says the deaths of 43 people are attributable to Hurricane Maria and the island has 16 per cent of its electricity restored.

The death toll in Puerto Rico attributable to Hurricane Maria has now reached 43, a government official says.

Ramon Rosario, secretary of public affairs and public policy, also told reporters that the island now has 16 per cent of electricity service restored, up from 15 per cent on Monday.

Maria was the worst hurricane to hit the US territory in nearly 90 years.