Bahamas sends for its students in Jamaica ahead of Hurricane Matthew

The Bahamian government has arranged for its students living in Jamaica to return home ahead of hurricane Matthew.

The Bahamian Education Ministry said Bahamasair was sent to Kingston this afternoon.

It was scheduled to depart the Norman Manley International Airport at 7 p.m. this evening.

Hurricane Matthew is gaining strength but remains a dangerous category four system as it moves closer to Jamaica.

Maximum winds are now near 240 kilometres per hour (150 mph) up from 230kp/h with higher gusts.

The Meteorological Service says although there could be further fluctuations over the weekend, Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through Monday when it should hit Jamaica.

The eye of the system  is now about 620 kilometres (385 miles) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica or 580 kilometres (360 miles) south-southwest of Port au Prince, Haiti.