SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Authorities in the eastern Caribbean are searching for seven boaters believed to have been lost in Hurricane Gonzalo, which is churning up heavy surf.

It’s a strong Category 2 hurricane with top winds of nearly 110 miles an hour as it moves away from the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

The storm is still getting stronger, and forecasters believe it could become a major storm as it approaches Bermuda. It’s expected to take a north-northwest turn late tomorrow, and move over open waters toward Bermuda through Friday. By Thursday, forecasters say, it could become a Category 4 storm with top winds of at least 130 miles an hour.

The government in Martinique says rescuers are looking for five people who were believed to be aboard boats that became adrift or ran aground during the hurricane, as well as two other people who reportedly fell overboard.

%@AP Links

APPHOTO XRA103: A surfer stretches on the shore of La Pared Beach in Luquillo, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. Hurricane Gonzalo moved away from the area, but churned up heavy surf across much of the Caribbean, Tuesday. Forecasters said it could pick up strength and become a major storm as it approaches Bermuda. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo) (14 Oct 2014)

<

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.