Hurricane 'Agatha' Sweeps Southern Mexico... At Least 11 Dead, 20 Missing

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The season's first hurricane, 'Agatha,' swept through Oaxaca on Mexico's southern Pacific coast, reportedly killing at least 11 people and leaving 20 missing.

According to an AP report on the 1st (local time), Agatha was a Category 2 hurricane with maximum winds of 169 km/h, making it the strongest hurricane to make landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast in May since records began in 1949.

Alejandro Murat, governor of Oaxaca, explained that casualties occurred as floodwaters breached levees and landslides took place.

The human casualties were mainly concentrated in villages near the mountains, but three children went missing near the coastal resort area of Huatulco.

Agatha made landfall on the afternoon of the 31st in a small coastal village in Oaxaca and has since weakened as it moved inland toward Veracruz.

Governor Murat said that electricity was restored in coastal villages, but some bridges were washed away and several highways were blocked due to landslides.

Damage also continued to occur in resorts within Oaxaca.

In San Isidro del Palma, just a few kilometers from the coast where the hurricane made landfall, the Tonameca River overflowed, flooding the village.

The famous resort village of Zipolite Beach was hit by heavy rain and strong winds. A local hotel worker said, "Trees fell, roads were washed away, and roofs were blown off."

Mexico regularly experiences the effects of tropical storms from May to November along both its Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

Last August, Category 3 hurricane 'Grace' struck Veracruz and Puebla in eastern Mexico, resulting in 11 deaths.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.