Mexico: Thousands trapped in flooded Acapulco

More than 40,000 tourists are still trapped in Mexico's international vacation resort of Acapulco, which has been battered by Tropical Storm Manuel. Scores of people have died around the country and Thousands of homes destroyed. James Blears has this report.


It's been a ghastly Mexican Independence weekend. Hurricane Ingrid, now downgraded to a Tropical storm has battered Mexico to the south east and Tropical storm Manuel has waded in to the South West which includes Acapulco.


There's no electricty at its international airport- the ground floor of which is severely flooded. The two main highways leading out of Acapulco are underwater, after more than four days of torrential rain. State Governor of Guerrero Angel Aguirre is promising an airlift of food and emergency supplies in and airlifts to evacuate thousands of stranded tourists out.


Mexico's President Enrique Peña Nieto who's flown to the scene is promising Federal Government aid to combat this disaster.


To the South East more than 20,000 people have been evacuated in Vera Cruz State, to escape Tropical Storm Ingred. Two thirds of the entire country has been affected by this double weather phenomenen, The like of which has not been suffered here in more than half a century.

For Vatican Radio....James Blears reporting.