39 Individuals Lose Their Lives in Mexico Due to Hurricanes; President Criticizes Rivals

The number of fatalities in Acapulco, Mexico, due to the recent devastating hurricane has risen to 39, as reported by the government. Meanwhile, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has alleged that his political adversaries are overstating the extent of the damage.

Hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on Wednesday with powerful winds reaching 165 miles per hour (266 kilometers per hour), causing widespread flooding, damaging roofs of homes, businesses, and hotels, submerging vehicles, and disrupting communication, transportation, and air travel.

Little information regarding the deceased and injured has been released by the administration thus far. Four people are currently unaccounted for as a result of Otis, bringing the total number of deaths from the disease up from the previous 27.

Lopez Obrador updated the public on the situation with a 24-minute video that was shared on social media. He mostly used it to criticize people he believed were attempting to take advantage of the situation in before of next year’s presidential election.

The death count in Acapulco, Mexico, from the recent severe hurricane has risen to 39, as stated by the government. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has criticized his political rivals for allegedly overstating the destruction caused by the hurricane.

Hurricane Otis struck Acapulco on Wednesday with winds reaching up to 165 miles per hour (266 kilometers per hour), leading to extensive flooding, damage to buildings and homes, submerged cars, and disruption of communication and transportation networks.

So far, the government has provided limited details about the casualties. The latest death toll is an increase from the previously reported 27, with four individuals still missing due to the hurricane’s impact.

In a 24-minute video posted on social media, Lopez Obrador updated the public about the situation, spending much of the time condemning those he believes are exploiting the disaster for political gain in the upcoming presidential election.

Lopez Obrador, aged 69, accused certain media outlets of exaggerating the death toll to undermine his administration. He stated that Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez would soon provide a truthful update on the casualties, emphasizing his government’s unparalleled efforts in responding to the disaster.

Rodriguez reported that the fatalities were likely due to drowning caused by the Category 5 hurricane, and that ten people were still missing.

Acapulco has experienced looting following the hurricane, which left many residents without access to food or water.

There have been complaints about insufficient government aid in Acapulco, and privately, some officials are concerned that the death toll might rise further.

Carlos Diaz, a 31-year-old teacher, expressed frustration at the lack of government assistance, stating, “Help hasn’t arrived. We’re alone, there’s no sign of the government.”

Using figures from Acapulco’s native state of Guerrero, the authorities reported that there were ten women and 29 men among the dead.

As per the report, over 513,000 people lost energy, over 220,000 homes were damaged, and 80% of the hotel business was affected.

Over 8,000 military men have been sent to aid the devastated port in its recovery, with the estimated cost of Otis’ damage being in the billions of dollars.

Otis was the most severe hurricane to ever impact Mexico’s Pacific coast, according to Mexican officials. It surprised analysts by rapidly intensifying before coming ashore and surpassing their initial projections.