Climate change.
Puerto Rico shares new Hurricane Maria death toll data after legal battle
The Puerto Rico government recorded a staggering 1,427 more deaths in the months during and after Hurricane Maria than the four years that preceded the storm, according to newly-released data contradicting the initial death toll.
The island territory Tuesday released a slew of death records in light of an independent analysis suggesting the death toll was in the thousands — not 64, as the government initially estimated.
The number of deaths from September to December 2017 does not clarify the number of people who died as a result of the hurricane and its aftermath in the Caribbean.
The records stem from a lawsuit CNN and the Center for Investigative Journalism in Puerto Rico lodged in February against Puerto Rico to request burial permits and other records to determine an accurate death toll.
The government on Monday night challenged the court order and asked a Puerto Rican judge for more time to gather the records due to short staffing, budget cuts and storm damage. The judge rejected the motion, according to CNN.
Carla Minet, the executive director of the Puerto Rico news site that sued the territory, said Gov. Ricardo Rossello’s administration has failed to make good on public statements “to comply with the court.”
“Transparency is a word they just don’t understand,” Minet told CNN.
Puerto Rico pledged to release the records beginning on Tuesday after the judge rejected its request.
Puerto Rico shares new Hurricane Maria death toll data after legal battle - NY Daily News
Puerto Rico shares new Hurricane Maria death toll data after legal battle
The Puerto Rico government recorded a staggering 1,427 more deaths in the months during and after Hurricane Maria than the four years that preceded the storm, according to newly-released data contradicting the initial death toll.
The island territory Tuesday released a slew of death records in light of an independent analysis suggesting the death toll was in the thousands — not 64, as the government initially estimated.
The number of deaths from September to December 2017 does not clarify the number of people who died as a result of the hurricane and its aftermath in the Caribbean.
The records stem from a lawsuit CNN and the Center for Investigative Journalism in Puerto Rico lodged in February against Puerto Rico to request burial permits and other records to determine an accurate death toll.
The government on Monday night challenged the court order and asked a Puerto Rican judge for more time to gather the records due to short staffing, budget cuts and storm damage. The judge rejected the motion, according to CNN.
Carla Minet, the executive director of the Puerto Rico news site that sued the territory, said Gov. Ricardo Rossello’s administration has failed to make good on public statements “to comply with the court.”
“Transparency is a word they just don’t understand,” Minet told CNN.
Puerto Rico pledged to release the records beginning on Tuesday after the judge rejected its request.
Puerto Rico shares new Hurricane Maria death toll data after legal battle - NY Daily News
