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Hurricane Maria's death toll increased to 43 in Puerto Rico

Posted at 5:07 PM, Oct 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-10 17:07:16-04

Three weeks after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, its residents are still coming to grips with the destruction left behind as a spokesperson for Puerto Rico's governor announced Tuesday the death toll had increased to 43. 

The deaths were due to the following causes:

Drowning - 6
Struck by debris - 8
Mud slide - 6
Medical emergencies - 13 
Accident during repairs or preparations - 6
Suicide - 2
Not specified - 2

Some good news came on Tuesday as government officials announced that 16 percent of the island has working electricity, which is up from just 5 percent this time last week. 

But the island is still struggling with communication and supplies. Just 20 percent of the island has cell service. 

House Speaker Paul Ryan is scheduled to lead a Washington delegation to Puerto Rico on Friday to check on recovery efforts.