After the devastating hurricane “Otis” on the Mexican Pacific coast, the death toll has risen to 39. “The public prosecutor’s office is currently assuming 39 deaths – 29 men and ten women,” said Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez in a video message with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Saturday. Most of the victims probably drowned. The government had previously put the death toll at 27.
Meanwhile, the armed forces distributed relief supplies in the seaside resort of Acapulco. Soldiers brought food packages and drinking water to the particularly affected neighborhoods, the Defense Ministry said. The military airlifted 40 tons of relief supplies to the disaster region, and the Red Cross delivered a further 75 tons.
Looting
According to media reports, there had previously been numerous lootings. People not only took food and drinking water with them, but also electrical appliances and luxury goods. The National Guard moved 1,700 officers to Acapulco to restore public order.
“Otis” hit the coast as a hurricane of the highest level 5 on Wednesday night with sustained wind speeds of almost 270 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 330 kilometers per hour. In just twelve hours it had developed from a tropical storm into a dangerous hurricane. It then lost strength over land and finally dissipated.
Tourism hit hard
The region’s tourism infrastructure was hit hard by the storm. “Otis” devastated hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping centers in Acapulco. According to initial estimates, the storm could have caused economic damage worth 15 billion US dollars (14.2 billion euros).
Acapulco is known for its cliff divers and luxury hotels. The holiday destination is also popular with low-budget tourists. The international jet set once stayed there. However, due to rampant violent crime, fewer and fewer tourists have recently come from abroad. Today it is primarily the residents of Mexico City who spend their holidays or long weekends there.
