Twelve additional deaths this Saturday increased to 39 the number of deaths caused by the devastating passage of the Hurricane Otis through Acapulco, south of Mexicoand at least ten people are missing.

On Thursday, a day after the Category 5 meteor – the highest on the Saffir Simpson scale – made landfall in Mexico’s Pacific Ocean, the government recorded an initial toll of 27 deaths.

“Unfortunately, the Public Prosecution Service lists a total of 39 victims.‘ and there are reports of ten people missing, said Rosa Icela Rodríguez, Minister of Security, in a video on social networks.

He described this in detail 19 of the victims are men and ten women and that according to the first investigations they had died by drowning.

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Otis surprised the Mexican Pacific Ocean because, defying all forecasts and meteorological data, it went from a tropical storm to a Hurricane 5 in about six hours with sustained winds of 170 mph.

This gave little time to launch an alert and take measures such as protecting homes, businesses and hotels and purchasing food and water.

Fishermen also told AFP that some were still at sea as they usually leave in the afternoon and return at dusk.

Mexican authorities also monitored this Saturday the development of a new meteor on the coasts of the state of Chiapas (south) and Central America.

Acapulco suffered a devastating blow: “All predictions failed,” says a scientist, explaining why Hurricane Otis unleashed so much fury on the state of Guerrero, Mexico

Atmospheric conditions are favorable for “the development of a tropical depression” early next week, a report from the United States National Hurricane Center said.

They enhance safety

Rodríguez spoke by phone during a message from the president Andrés Manuel López Obrador to report on the damage and rescue efforts at the port, which was severely damaged and plunged its nearly 780,000 residents into despair.

“We must resume the reconstruction of Acapulco as soon as possible,” the president said of this city that lives largely from tourism.

This was reported during the message on Saturday More than 17,000 soldiers and national guards will be deployed to protect the city, from falling prey to looting and robbery, and to order relief for the victims.

The uniformed officers have set up checkpoints on the roads to inspect vehicles loaded with various products, allowing them to carry only food and essential products.

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Alcoholic drinks, appliances and even toys stolen from shops were seized at these checkpoints amid chaotic scenes.

The Mexican government wrote this in a statement on Friday They delivered 1,170 aid baskets and this Saturday the intention was to distribute another 10,000 in the most impoverished sectors of this port city.

Aid is beginning to flow through the local airport, where 20 flights arrived Friday to transport emergency and medical personnel and evacuate tourists and some residents.

They assess the damage

Acapulco, one of the country’s most popular resorts and which welcomed Hollywood stars decades ago, was still without telecommunications or electricity in large areas, while streets were still littered with rubble and fallen trees, making it difficult for vehicles to pass through to drive.

The government has announced this 200,000 homes were affected or destroyed80% of the hotels are badly damaged and countless shops and restaurants are in ruins.

Initial estimates of the damage left by the meteor are estimated at approx 15,000 million pesos (approximately $828 million)according to consultancy firm Enki Research, specialized in natural phenomena.

Insurance groups say they are willing to accelerate payments, but figures from the National Insurance and Financial Commission also indicate that of all natural disaster policies in Mexico, less than 1% are concentrated in Guerrero.

Two other hurricanes hit Mexico’s Pacific Ocean in October: Norma, killing three in Sinaloa (northwest), and Lidia, killing two in Jalisco and Nayarit (west).

In 1997, Category 4 Hurricane Paulina (Pauline) struck the coasts of Guerrero and neighboring states, causing extensive damage and a death toll of more than 200. (JO)