Amid widespread looting following Hurricane Otis, the National Guard sent 1,700 police officers to the Mexican beach resort of Acapulco. Emergency services were guarding stores to restore public order, the National Guard announced today. According to a report in the newspaper “Milenio”, the guards also set up barriers and searched cars.
During the looting, people not only took food and drinking water, but also household appliances and luxury items. The employers’ association Coparmex called on the authorities to take decisive action against it. “The tragedy that people are experiencing must not be exacerbated by unjustified looting,” he said in a statement.
Distribution of food and drinking water
Meanwhile, the National Guard and armed forces distributed food and drinking water to those in need. Emergency services also continued clean-up work, removing fallen trees and debris and clearing streets.
“Otis” made landfall as a higher level five hurricane on Wednesday night, with sustained winds of nearly 170 mph and gusts of up to 210 mph. In just twelve hours, it went from a tropical storm to a dangerous hurricane. It then lost strength over land and finally dissipated.