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Haiti

Haiti confirms 5 killed by Hurricane Dennis

HAVANA, Jul 9, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Five people died and four others went missing after Hurricane Dennis swept through Haiti, the Caribbean state's Civil Protection authorities said Saturday in a report reaching here.

The toll could be noticeably higher as rescue work continues, according to the information from the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.

The five dead were found respectively in the cities of Cote de Fer, Mayer, Bainet and Cayes, the report said, adding that the devastating whirlwind also left 11 people injured.

Up to 1,500 Haitian families were living in shelters after rendered homeless by the storm.

The Haitian authorities said the southwestern city of Beaumont remained isolated as a result of flooding and mudslides.

The powerful hurricane hurtled toward US coastal areas Saturday following the deadly run over Haiti on Thursday.

It also hit Cuba Thursday night, leaving 10 people dead, most of them in collapsed houses in the southeastern Granma province.