Hurricane Otis: 27 Dead, Four Missing In Southern Mexico

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Mexico City: At least 27 people have been killed and four missing after Hurricane Otis struck the coast of the southern Mexican state of Guerrero on Wednesday morning as a Category 5 hurricane.

The Pacific hurricane crashed into Acapulco with furious winds of 270km (165 miles) per hour, shattering windows, uprooting trees, and largely cutting off communications and road links with the region.

It also partially destroyed many buildings, leaving gaping holes in the walls of high-rise towers while overturning vehicles. Fishing boats and yachts were washed ashore.

The hurricane, now weakened to a storm, left severe damage, especially in the Acapulco resort area, one of the main tourist destinations in the country, said Security and Citizen Protection Secretary Rosa Icela Rodriguez.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador lamented the loss of lives and his administration launched an airlift to the region with the support of the military.

Meanwhile, Federal Electricity Commission personnel are at work trying to restore electricity supply and telecommunications in the region.

Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer with climate change.