Four missing after powerful hurricane ravishes Bermuda

The most powerful hurricane to hit Bermuda in 50 years slammed into the British territory, unleashing deadly winds that split trees in half and swept trucks off roads. Four people were missing.

By on Friday, the hurricane's 193kph winds had eased as Fabian pushed away from Bermuda. Officials were grappling with reports of widespread damage and injuries.

At least four islanders were feared dead, according to Bermuda Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith.

Two officers and two civilians were swept into white-capped waters when winds blew their vehicles off a shattered causeway connecting Bermuda's main island to the airport. Searches were suspended because of the storm surge but resumed yesterday.

Hospitals minor injuries. Many people said they had been hit by flying debris. Some reported falling on slippery roads.

The storm knocked out power in 25,000 homes, tore slate tiles from roofs, covered roads with debris and made the airport causeway impassable.

"This storm is the most powerful one we've seen in years," said John Burchall, the Bermuda government's spokesman. "The surge and debris are making it incredibly difficult to do search and rescue operations."

Fabian the wealthy British territory's vaunted ability to withstand a fierce storm. The island chain requires newly built houses to withstand sustained winds of 177kph. The developed territory also has many underground power and phone lines.

But Bermuda had not seen a Category 3 hurricane like Fabian since 1953 when Hurricane Edna slammed into Bermuda with its 185kph winds. The satellite dish and instruments to measure wind speeds were ripped from their moorings and blown away from Bermuda's Weather Service. By late Friday, maximum sustained winds were at 185kph.

Islanders themselves inside homes or fled to hotels, some of which reported gushing leaks. Airports closed and all flights to Bermuda were canceled.

About people were moved out of the Sonesta Beach Hotel in the south, where 3m waves were crashing against the rocky coastline. Hundreds of others left their homes on the coast. By Friday afternoon, Fabian's eye had passed within 55km west of Bermuda's largest island, which is 34km long and 3km wide.

Weather improving but storm surges were still strong. Surges would ease yesterday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.