Tropical wave kills 2 in eastern Caribbean

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Two people died and another two are missing in Trinidad as a tropical wave lashed the eastern Caribbean with heavy rains and wind, authorities said Saturday.

The victims died after heavy rainfall unleashed floods and mudslides in Trinidad’s western suburb of Diego Martin, relatives said. The dead were identified as 66-year-old Solomon Britto and 31-year-old Everold Bentham.

Bentham’s sister, Liz Bentham, told reporters that floodwater surged through their community early Saturday and that her mother and sister were able to leave the house. She said Everold Bentham initially left with them but that he returned to retrieve something from the house and died.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar declared Diego Martin a disaster area and has opened two shelters.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the tropical wave was located about 40 miles east of Barbados and moving west at 25 mph with winds of 35 mph

The hurricane center canceled a tropical storm watch for the eastern Caribbean late Saturday morning.