Mandatory evacuation order issued for Barbuda

The attorney general in Antigua and Barbuda has issued a mandatory evacuation order for the smaller island of Barbuda.

The decision was made in preparation for the passage of Hurricane Jose, which is expected to make landfall on on Saturday.

The island is already reeling from catastrophic damage sustained from Hurricane Irma.

“Anyone who fails to comply with this order will be in breach of law and will be subject to be met with the fullest extent of the law," said Steadroy Benjamin, who is also the minister for public safety.

“The government has put into place the orderly transfer of those persons from Barbuda to Antigua.”

The public should be reassured that they will safely rehoused in Antigua, the minister added.

SEE ALSO: More than 300 hundred evacuated from Barbuda