Death Toll from Category 5 Hurricane Otis in Mexico Increases to 39, says Security Authorities

On Saturday, Mexican security officials updated the number of fatalities from Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm that impacted the southern Pacific coast of the country on Wednesday. The revised death toll now stands at 39, up from the initial count of 27 reported on Thursday.

Mexico’s Security Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez, in a video message alongside President Andrés Manuel López Obrador that was disseminated on platform X, stated that the deaths occurred due to “asphyxiation by submersion.” She noted that the identification process for the victims is ongoing, and further investigations are being carried out.

The updated figure comes amidst increasing scrutiny and local media reports of additional bodies being recovered. President López Obrador chastised his political adversaries for attempting to politicize the human cost of the natural disaster. Rodríguez also reported that the number of missing persons has escalated to 10, while hundreds of families are still waiting for news about their relatives.

Relief Efforts Gain Traction in Acapulco After Slow Start

In the wake of the disaster, Acapulco saw organized relief activities intensifying four days post the hurricane. Both government personnel and volunteers were actively involved in clearing streets. Despite the urgency, residents encountered long lines at gas stations, and basic food items were being distributed to fortunate families.

The aid was tardy in its arrival, exacerbated by the rapid intensification of Hurricane Otis on Tuesday. The storm isolated the city of nearly one million residents and hampered preparations as nothing substantial had been set up in advance.

The search for deceased and missing individuals proved challenging for authorities. Skepticism loomed regarding the initially reported death toll of 27 and four missing persons, as it remained unchanged for two days. A military official, who chose to remain anonymous due to unauthorized media contact, revealed that officials in his jurisdiction had discovered at least six bodies, with his own unit accounting for one.

The process of finding the deceased was complicated by the fact that bodies were often concealed by fallen trees and debris. Even the security forces were not provided with updated figures, adding to the uncertainty while hundreds of families anxiously awaited news of their loved ones.

Residents Struggle Amidst Scarcity

Orlando Mendoza, a 46-year-old resident, was seen walking along a highway drenched in sweat, carrying food items like tuna, sardines, water, pasta, and soup for his family. A group of volunteers from the central state of Puebla distributed food packages to families such as Mendoza’s.

Long lines for gasoline were overseen by soldiers to prevent uncontrolled looting, a scenario seen in previous days. Abel Montoya, 67, expressed his need for fuel as essential for searching for water and food, raising the possibility that he might even leave Acapulco for the state capital, Chilpancingo.

Electrical outages disabled gas pumps, leading to a gasoline shortage. Water scarcity became another significant concern, as the municipal water system was non-operational due to lack of power. Stores and groceries were devastated, initially by the hurricane and subsequently by looting.

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More about Hurricane Otis Death Toll

• Mexico’s Security Authorities Official Announcement
• President López Obrador’s Statement
• Local Media Reports on Hurricane Otis
• AP Climate and Environment
• Relief Efforts in Acapulco
• Volunteer Initiatives for Hurricane Otis
• Current Status of Missing Persons
• Challenges Faced by Acapulco Residents