Eight Reported Dead After Evacuation of Nursing Home

The Broward County Medical Examiner's Office reports that eight residents of a nursing home in Hollywood are dead in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

According to authorities, the nursing home had issues with its air conditioning.

Local police say the main fuse to maintain the air conditioning unit at The Rehabilitation Center nursing home was broken as Irma passed.

One employee told local media that they had contacted Florida Power and Light, but utility crews had not yet been able to get to the scene.

According to the Broward County Mayor, three residents of the center had died at the scene Wednesday. 

Others, they said, died at an area hospital.

Police say the 115 residents of the nursing home were evacuated to other facilities.

Some were hospitalized, and some of them in critical condition, according to authorities.

Doctors said residents were being treated for respiratory distress, dehydration, and heat-related illnesses.

The Hollywood Police Chief said that a criminal investigation had been opened into the deaths of the residents.

Police were also dispatched to the area's other assisted living facilities to do wellness checks on the residents.

Governor Rick Scott said he has directed the Department of Children and Families as well as other agencies to open an investigation into the deaths.


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