ACAPULCO, Mexico (Reuters) – The body of Jose Ramiro Castro, a sailor who died aboard a tourist boat during Hurricane Otis, has finally been turned over to his loved ones. Castro was buried on Friday afternoon in Acapulco, ten days after the record-breaking storm devastated the city with severe flooding and winds of 165 miles per hour (266 kph).
During the Category 5 storm, known as Hurricane Otis, nearly 50 people lost their lives, while another 59 people remain missing. Castro and other crew members were aboard the Acarey, a popular tourist boat, when the storm hit Acapulco. Castro stayed on board to take care of the vessel, according to his relatives.
Tragically, other crew members also perished in the storm. Castro’s sister, Maria Jesus Castro, shared that her brother had sent her a video just after midnight, expressing concern about the intensifying sea. She urged him to leave the ship, but it ultimately sank along with other boats in Acapulco Bay.
The video recorded by Castro on the night of the sinking has been widely circulated on social media. Before the storm, photos of the Acarey showcase the vessel at anchor, amidst turbulent waves. The owner of the boat, however, could not be reached for comment.
Maria revealed that authorities informed her that Castro’s body had been taken to a morgue in Acapulco on October 27, seven days before the family received any communication. Reuters was unable to independently verify this information. Expressing her frustration, she stated, “It’s not fair that they made us wait so long.”
The city of Acapulco continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Otis, with severe damage to homes, businesses, and livelihoods. The storm severed communications and caused extensive flooding throughout the area.
Reporting from Acapulco, Jose Luis Gonzalez; writing by Sarah Kinosian; editing by Matthew Lewis.
