Yachts were dumped ashore by 120mph winds as Hurricane Fabian struck Bermuda yesterday, the most powerful storm to strike the former British colony since 1953.
The island is renowned for its resilience in the face of the world's most violent storms, and emerged from its sternest test for half a century with its reputation just about intact. The hurricane left its mark, however. Scores of trucks were swept off roads and hundreds of properties damaged.
Four people were reported still missing last night as the 120mph winds raced northward. Two police officers and two civilians are feared dead after winds blew their cars off a causeway. The island's part-time regiment was today trying to restore power to 25,000 homes, while police investigated reports of looting.
'We have taken a considerable beating,' said John Burchall, the Bermuda government spokesman.