Antiguan students in Cuba are safe after Hurricane Melissa struck the island’s eastern region as a Category 3 storm, according to Cuban Ambassador Sergio Jorge Pastrana.

He said most Antiguan and Barbudan students are based in western Cuba and were unaffected, while six in Santiago de Cuba are in good condition and assisting medical teams with hurricane relief.

Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane with 185 mph winds before weakening over Cuba. At least 28 people have been reported dead across Haiti and Jamaica, with more missing.

Cuba evacuated over 735,000 residents ahead of the storm and has begun recovery efforts, including restoring power and distributing food and medicine. Communication lines largely remained open during the hurricane, allowing coordination and family contact.

The Ambassador called Melissa the strongest storm of the 2025 season and said Antiguans wishing to support relief efforts can contact the Cuban Embassy for guidance.