Hurricane Irma: Missing British sisters feared dead are found safe
THE aunt of two young British women who went missing on a hurricane-ravaged Caribbean island today said they have been found safe and well.
Weatherman: Hurricane Irma is bringing a deadly storm surge
Former Miss Antigua Asha Frank, 29, and her seven-month pregnant sister Afiya, 27, were both on the island of Barbuda when it was hit by hurricane Irma.
The women's aunt Ruth Bolton, 48, last heard from them at 10.30pm on Wednesday as the island was being lashed by 185mph winds.
The women messaged her via the Whatsapp service to say they were preparing for the hurricane.
Hurricane Irma: Missing British sisters feared dead are found safe (circled)
That's my girls. We now know that they are safe and unharmed
She later described the silence as "unbearable" after failing to hear from the two women for more than two days.
But today, Mrs Bolton revealed on Twitter that the pair have now been found safe and well.
She said they have been unable to talk to the girls directly, but have been told they are "alive and well and helping organise evacuation efforts".
The two sisters were both on the island of Barbuda when it was hit by hurricane Irma
"That's my girls. We now know that they are safe and unharmed," she added.
It is believed the sisters are now among hundreds evacuating Barbuda as yet another storm, Hurricane Jose, looks to be heading towards the island.
Miss Frank, a former Miss Antigua who works as a local councillor, had been helping with emergency procedures before Hurricane Irma hit.
It is believed the sisters are now among hundreds evacuating Barbuda
Mrs Bolton said: "They had boarded up the house that my sister had just finished building with wood and stocked up on water etc.
"They are always well prepared for storms in Barbuda.
The sisters' aunt has described their silence as 'unbearable'
"It's a brick house and hopefully stood some of the storm."
The girls' parents Mackenzie and Claire Frank are currently in Britain, having come over for a summer break.