Richard Branson’s luxury home on Necker Island destroyed by Hurricane Irma

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Richard Branson’s son has posted to say that people staying on Necker Island are safe, but the buildings on the island have been destroyed.

Sam Branson posted on instagram from the luxury retreat in the British Virgin Islands as he warned others in the path of the storm to find safe shelter.

Richard Branson was on the island and took everyone down into the wine cellar to sit out the storm as it destroyed the Great House above.

His son wrote: ‘Glad to say that all humans on Necker are ok although a lot of buildings destroyed 😞 Very concerned for our friends and everyone on the neighbouring islands and people in its path.’

This morning Virgin issued a statement that said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the events that have taken place in the last 24 hours and our hearts and thoughts are with our friends and family in the Caribbean.

‘We are very grateful to be able to report that all of our team on Island have been accounted for as safe as well. Necker Island felt the effects of Hurricane Irma and sustained extensive damage, the extent of which we are still assessing.’

Richard Branson posted updates from the island before it was destroyed.

The billionaire businessman described the atmosphere on the island as ‘eerie but beautiful’ as the record-breaking hurricane approaches his luxury retreat.

Before the hurricane hit he said that it was like a sleepover with all people on the island sleeping together in two rooms.

He said: ‘I haven’t had a sleepover quite like it since I was a kid. Strangely, it’s a privilege to experience what is turning into possibly the strongest storm ever with such a great group of young people.

‘We were listening to the parrots in their boxes in the next room chattering away. Watching the tortoises congregating together, as if they sense what is coming our way.’