Devastating Hurricane Otis Leaves 48 Dead and Counting in Mexico’s Southern Pacific Coast

At least 48 people have been confirmed dead after Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm, slammed into Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Wednesday. The majority of the fatalities occurred in the resort city of Acapulco, where 43 people were killed. The Mexican government has intensified efforts to help the city of nearly 900,000 inhabitants recover from the destruction caused by the hurricane.

The storm caused 165 mph (266 kph) winds, which downed power lines and communications, leaving the city incommunicado. In the aftermath, looting broke out as food, water and gasoline became scarce. The civil defense agency reported that five people were killed in nearby Coyuca de Benitez, and six people remain missing.

The governor of the southern state of Guerrero, Hector Astudillo, declared a state of emergency and requested federal aid to help with the recovery efforts. The government has sent in the military and federal police to help restore order and provide assistance to the affected areas.

The Mexican government has set up shelters for those who have been displaced by the storm, and is providing food, water, and medical aid to those in need. The government is also working to restore power and communications in the affected areas.

The death toll from Hurricane Otis is expected to continue to rise as the recovery efforts continue. The Mexican government is urging people to remain vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities as they work to restore order and provide assistance to those affected by the storm.