The death toll from Hurricane Otis has risen to 39, officials said. The element devastated southwestern Mexico, including the resort of Acapulco and its surroundings. City residents report that they are running out of food and drinking water supplies. The cost of damage was estimated at billions of dollars.
Otis, the highest category hurricane, made landfall on Wednesday morning. Winds with a speed of 265 kilometers per hour destroyed both houses and multi-story hotels, ripped off roofs and broke windows. Heavy rain caused flash floods, flooding the streets of the popular tourist destination.
According to the latest government data published on Saturday, the number of people who died as a result of the hurricane increased to 39. Previously, the Mexican government reported at least 27 deaths, and the Acapulco authorities reported 30 deaths on Friday.
Among the victims of the element is a girl who was carried away by the water on one of the streets of Acapulco. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on Friday that the body of a missing navy soldier had been found, while the search for three servicemen continued.
Acapulco after Hurricane OtisPAP/EPA/David Guzman
“We have no water or food”
As a result of the disaster, there were shortages of food, electricity and interruptions in access to the Internet. The situation in Acapulco, home to approximately one million people, and its suburbs remains dramatic. Local services reported that there was chaos in the city, which included the blockage of many streets and the looting of shops by residents.
– It wasn’t just wind and water, it was a flying whirlwind that pulled things out of apartments and houses, uprooted trees and tore fabrics. There was a roar as if an angry bull was howling, reported one of the city’s residents, Rodolfo Villagomez. – We have no water or food. Money is useless because we can’t buy anything. Everything was looted. This is difficult for all residents of Acapulco and Guerrero. We are experiencing moments of anguish and fear for our families, he said.
– We’re stuck here. We will soon run out of food and all the shops have been looted. So we don’t know how we will survive these next few days, said a 65-year-old Canadian who is staying in a Mexican resort in an interview with journalists.
80 percent of hotels damaged
According to the findings of the “Milenio” daily, over 95 percent of hotels, commercial facilities and entertainment establishments in the city, popular among tourists, were currently closed on Friday. Local services reported that in the case of 80 percent hotels in Acapulco, there was damage to the building structure.
The cost of damage left by the hurricane was estimated at billions of dollars.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/David Guzman