Prisoners who fled damaged British Virgin Island jail recaptured

Hurricane Irma, center, approaches Cuba and Florida, with Hurricane Katia, left, in the Gulf of Mexico, and Hurrican Jose/ right, in the Atlantic Ocean. Photo / AP

More than 100 'high risk' detainees have been recaptured after escaping from a jail on the British Virgin Islands following Hurricane Irma.

The convicts, including a rapist and robber, fled the Balsam Ghut prison after 185mph hurricane winds wreaked havoc across the islands of Tortola.

However, following an operation by British Royal Marines and police, alongside local police, the prisoners were captured again and returned to jail., reported the Daily Mail.

Gus Jaspert, the governor of the British Virgin Islands, said: "The government of the British Virgin Islands is extremely grateful to the police and military personnel for their tireless efforts, which have resulted in a thorough and extremely successful operation.

"I extend our gratitude to the UK and Cayman Island governments for their provision of personnel on the ground here, helping to ensure the safety and security of all British Virgin Islanders.

"This signals a huge step in all of our efforts to rebuild this fantastic territory."

The news comes after British Virgin Islanders said they were 'terrified' of the prisoners, who escaped because of the damage caused by Irma.

They said looting had been "terrible"and claimed escaped prisoners had committed a rape while on the loose.

Shanelle Williams, who took 15 people into her home following the fury the hurricane unleashed on the island, told the Press Association: "You go into the town, they crash and they open up and stealing everything.

"But since the military came it has calmed down, but the only issue right now is these prisoners are out.

"They have already raped someone and they have already tried to steal from people, it is terrifying."

One woman, who did not want to be named, told the Press Association she "did not feel safe" after the hurricane.

Foreign minister Sir Alan Duncan told the Commons on Tuesday that the convicts posed a "serious threat of the complete breakdown of law and order".

Meanwhile Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visited the British Virgin Islands on Wednesday, comparing the destruction to the devastation in Hiroshima after it was hit by a nuclear bomb.

However, there was anger and frustration after it was revealed a £13billion pot of foreign aid money cannot be used to repair the islands as they are considered "too wealthy" to apply.

That is despite warnings by locals including ship captain Jonathan Moynihan, who told the Independent "without help, people are going to die."