Cuba has evacuated over 33,000 people from its eastern provinces as hurricane Gustav approaches the country from the Caribbean, the Presna Latina news agency quoted emergency officials as saying.

The hurricane, accompanied by severe rains, has already swept through Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic, killing at least 60 and causing major destruction to infrastructure.

The hurricane is currently moving from the west of Jamaica at a speed of 11 km/h (6.8 mph), with wind speeds of around 110 km/h (68.4 mph).

Last week hurricane Fay swept through Haiti killing 23 people.