Mexico: 3 Foreigners, Including an American, Among Those Killed When Hurricane Otis Devastated Acapulco

Mexico authorities revealed that among the 48 people confirmed dead after Hurricane Otis made landfall in Acapulco, three of them were foreign residents. This comes as search and rescue operations continue in the devastated city.

According to the Associated Press, the three foreigners are one American, one Canadian, and one person from England. They were all living in Acapulco for quite some time now and were considered foreign residents and not tourists.

Not much has been revealed about the three foreign residents killed during Hurricane Otis's devastation yet. However, search and rescue crews are now focusing their operations on submerged boats.

The Mexican Navy announced that their current search effort is focusing on finding possible bodies among the 29 boats that have sunk in Acapulco Bay as Hurricane Otis made landfall in Mexico. These 29 votes have now been located, and authorities are now waiting for a ship equipped with a crane to arrive to salvage these wrecks.

Reports indicate that these boats had crew members inside them when the storm hit. These vessels are among the many expensive yachts that carry tourists around Acapulco Bay.

"As of now we know of 29 craft that have sunk," said Mexico Navy Secretary Admiral Jose Rafael Ojeda. "A ship with a crane is going to arrive to lift the boats ... we already know where they are." He said they hoped not to find "any drowned people there."

Hurricane Otis Devastation in Acapulco Could Take Years To Fix

Hurricane Otis only battered Acapulco, Mexico for around two hours. However, these two hours of devastation could take years to repair.

According to the Associated Press, Mexican authorities are now working on restoring order in Acapulco's tourist center, cutting trees and restoring power. However, the biggest toll of the devastation could affect the city's poor, who felt they were abandoned.

"The government doesn't even know we exist," one resident told the AP. "They've only ever taken care of the resort areas, the pretty places of Acapulco. They've always forgotten us."

This sentiment is echoed by many across the city who accuse the government of leaving them to fend for themselves after Otis hit.

Mexico Sends Troops to Acapulco as They Deal With Looters

Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has deployed around 17,000 military and police to Acapulco and other nearby areas in Guerrero State. These troops are sent not just to participate in search and rescue operations but also to restore order, as widespread looting has been reported throughout the city.

According to the BBC, videos have shown people taking food, water, and other supplies from shops left devastated by the Category 5 hurricane. Others were also seen walking away with expensive electronic items.

As this happened, many residents are unhappy as relief goods still have not made it to their area, with many complaining that they don't just have food and water but also beds to sleep in.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Hurricane Otis death toll rises to 48, number of missing now 36 as search and recovery work continue -WHAS11