New hurricane nears Mexico as death toll hits 80

Local residents wade through a flooded street in Acapulco, state of Guerrero, Mexico as heavy rains hit the country.
(AFP/RONALDO SCHEMIDT)

ACAPULCO, Mexico: A new hurricane bore down on Mexico's northwest coast Wednesday after the death toll from previous storms rose to 80 and desperate tourists sought airlifts out of an inundated Acapulco.

The fatalities spread across 12 of 32 states after a pair of tropical storms, Ingrid and Manuel, triggered landslides and floods over large swaths of Mexico this week, said national civil protection director Ricardo de la Cruz.

The toll could rise after the mayor of a mountain municipality in the southwestern state of Guerrero said at least 15 bodies were pulled from a landslip that hit more than 20 homes housing 70 people.

Ediberto Tabarez, the mayor ot Atoyac de Alvarez, told AFP by telephone that the situation was "very critical" in the remote village of La Pintada after nonstop rain caused part of a hill to slip. He had earlier reported 18 deaths.

Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong said authorities have been unable to confirm the fatalities so far but that pictures from the area were "not encouraging."

Further north, Manuel regenerated into a category one hurricane and its center was near the coast of Sinaloa state, packing top winds of 75 miles (115 kilometers) per hour, the US National Hurricane Center said. A tropical cyclone may also form on the east coast.

The new threat came after Ingrid, which was a hurricane before hitting the northeast on Monday, and Manuel became the first tropical storms to make landfall almost simultaneously in half a century.

The storms have affected some 220,000 people across the country, damaging scores of bridges and homes, and left Acapulco isolated after its two highways and airport were hit by landslides and floods.

Authorities said they hoped to re-open the land link between the Pacific resort to Mexico City on Friday.

The rising waters marooned tens of thousands of tourists in Acapulco, a former favorite haunt of Hollywood stars that has now been plagued by gang violence.

The disaster sparked panic buying at supermarkets while thousands of residents looted flooded stores, wading through water with televisions, food and even fridges.

"Unfortunately, there is desperation, but more army and navy troops have arrived," Mayor Luis Walton told MVS radio. "We ask people to remain calm."

The skies finally cleared in Acapulco after almost one week of nonstop rain, but the heat brought misery to thousands of holidaymakers standing in massive lines to board military aircraft.

People shouted and shoved each other as some cut the line at an air force base while soldiers handed out water to parched tourists.

Their anger rose as a separate, shorter and quicker line formed for wealthier visitors who booked flights on private jets.

"I ask the government that, since we all pay taxes, we all be treated the same way because the rich and the poor are equal in this tragedy," said Leonor Carretto, 45.

"They should demonstrate we're all equal by letting the little kings bake under the sun for just one hour," added Carretto, whose five-year-old daughter was running a fever after waiting for hours in line.

The civilian airport's terminal was flooded in knee-high dark water, but commercial carriers began special flights on Tuesday despite the lack of a functioning radar.

"The experience has been a little bit scary because we haven't able to get out," said Tarun Mahrotri, a 34-year-old tourist from London queued up at the military air base.

More than 5,000 people have been flown out since Tuesday, officials said, with Mexican airlines Aeromexico and Interjet offering free flights for people without prior reservations.

Transport Minister Gerardo Ruiz Esparza said a total of 15,000 people will have been flown out by Thursday.

The military has flown 60 tonnes of food supplies and 8,000 liters of water to the city, Defense Secretary Salvador Cienfuegos said.