Police reinforcements have been sent to cities hit last week by Hurricane Wilma in an effort to control the widespread looting that has erupted. Looting of homes and businesses has been especially fierce in the popular tourist area of Cancun, but incidents have also occurred in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Cozumel, areas also hit hard by the storm. The Mexican government and various embassies are now working to evacuate tourists from these areas. International SOS has deployed a medical and security team via the Philadelphia Alarm Center to the region to assist our clients.
At least seven people were killed as a result of the storm. The latest reports state that hundreds of thousands of people have lost their homes as a result of the hurricane, while an estimated one million other homes and businesses have suffered severe damage. Electrical power and phone service is still down across most of the Maya Riviera. Many hotels and resorts have reported considerable damage, and many areas are still flooded. Shortages of food, water and medicine have been reported.
Reports suggest that the Cancun International Airport may reopen tomorrow. International Airports in Merida and Chetumal are operating at this time.
International SOS Comment
Frustration fueled by hunger, a lack of clean medicine and other items may cause looting to intensify over the coming days, and police will likely be forced to use heavy-handed tactics in an effort to control the situation. Other acts of petty and violent crime are possible, and tourists in these areas will likely be at higher risk because they will be perceived as wealthy.
International SOS recommends that travel to the Maya Riveria should be temporarily deferred.
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