UK charters flights to help transport British nationals out of Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa

The UK has charted flights to help transport British nationals out of Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa ripped through the Caribbean.

Up to 8,000 holidaying British citizens are in Jamaica as it reels from one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history.

People have been ordered to stay indoors after Hurricane Melissa swept over the Caribbean island, which is also home to 50,000 dual nationals, with tourists locked down in hotels.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said in a statement that it was chartering the flights to help bolster commercial capacity.

It said the chartered flights were for those "who are unable to fly home commercially", but that it was also working closely with travel companies to restore flights for holidaymakers and British nationals.

"All British nationals who have already registered via the Register Your Presence portal will automatically be contacted and provided with a link to the booking portal once airports are open," an FCDO spokesperson said.

"If you are a British national in Jamaica wanting to leave on a flight and have not already registered your presence, you should do so immediately.

"Travellers should contact their airline or travel provider in the first instance to see if commercial options are available, and if they have already booked a flight home to confirm if it is still operating.

"We will prioritise those who are most vulnerable, for example those with medical needs and children, in allocating seats on the flight. The cost of a seat will be based on standard commercial rates."

The FCDO said it would contact those who are allocated a seat on the flights directly and urged British nationals not to make their way to the airport unless they are contacted.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.