Mexican President makes his way to Acapulco after Hurricane Otis

Mexican authorities rushed to send emergency aid, restore communications and assess damage in the Pacific beach resort of Acapulco, located in the southern state of Guerrero on Wednesday after a powerful hurricane left a trail of destruction and tourists stranded.

Mexican President personally joined an official convoy heading for the seaside city by road, despite landslides and other debris blocking the way. Toppled trees were seen in the debris-strewn streets and a shopping mall appeared to have suffered major structural damage in Acapulco.

More than 500 emergency shelters were opened for residents. Otis was packing maximum sustained winds of 165 miles (265 kilometers) per hour when it hit the coast, but later dissipated over southern Mexico, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.