Candido Trinidad de la Cruz, 40, (L) who lost his family and home during Hurricane Otis, and other relatives, moves a picture of his family on an altar placed in their memory at the place where their house used to be, on Christmas Eve, in Acapulco, Mexico December 24, 2023. REUTERS
Fisherman Juan Pablo Garcia Atrixco, 46, known as “Erizo”, who lost his house during Hurricane Otis, dines with his family at a relative’s home on Christmas, in Acapulco, Mexico December 25, 2023. REUTERS/Javier Verdin Acquire Licensing Rights
Candido Trinidad de la Cruz, 40, who lost his family and home during Hurricane Otis, looks on near an altar placed in their memory at the place where their house used to be, on Christmas Eve, in Acapulco, Mexico December 24, 2023. REUTERS
Children of fisherman Juan Pablo Garcia Atrixco, 46, known as “Erizo”, who lost his house during Hurricane Otis, play with fireworks at a relative’s home on Christmas, in Acapulco, Mexico December 25, 2023. REUTERS
Candido Trinidad de la Cruz, 40, who lost his family and home during Hurricane Otis, and other relatives, moves a picture of his family on an altar placed in their memory at the place where their house used to be, on Christmas Eve, in Acapulco, Mexico December 24, 2023. REUTERS
Children of fisherman Juan Pablo Garcia Atrixco, 46, known as “Erizo”, who lost his house during Hurricane Otis, play with fireworks at a relative’s home on Christmas, in Acapulco, Mexico December 25, 2023. REUTERS
Candido Trinidad de la Cruz, 40, who lost his family and home during Hurricane Otis, carries a cat as he looks at an altar placed in their memory at the place where their house used to be, on Christmas Eve, in Acapulco, Mexico December 24, 2023. REUTERS
Fisherman Juan Pablo Garcia Atrixco, 46, known as “Erizo”, who lost his house during Hurricane Otis, poses for a picture before dining with his family at a relative’s home on Christmas Eve, in Acapulco, Mexico December 24, 2023. REUTERS
A view of the neighborhood of the relatives of fisherman Juan Pablo Garcia Atrixco, 46, known as “Erizo”, who lost his house during Hurricane Otis, on Christmas, in Acapulco, Mexico December 25, 2023. REUTERS
Candido Trinidad de la Cruz, 40, (R) who lost his family and home during Hurricane Otis, stands next to an altar placed in their memory at the place where their house used to be, on Christmas Eve, in Acapulco, Mexico December 24, 2023. REUTERS
ACAPULCO, Mexico, Dec 25 (Reuters) – Candido Trinidad de la Cruz had been planning a family Christmas celebration until Hurricane Otis hit two months ago and flooded the Mexican beach resort Acapulco, sweeping away his wife and two children, and all their belongings.
On Christmas Eve, he was still hoping to find them alive.
With this in mind, Trinidad de la Cruz – whose leg was severely injured in the strongest hurricane to ever hit Mexico’s Pacific coast – created an altar with family photographs, colorful flowers, garlands, and candles to remind him of happier days.
Hurricane Otis devastated Acapulco early on Oct. 25 when he was home with his wife, their 12-year-old daughter, and their 16-year-old son.
It reduced homes to rubble, killing at least 50 people, with many more missing, and caused billions of dollars in damage to houses and hotels.
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has launched a $3.4 billion recovery plan and pledged to get the once-vibrant beach resort back on its feet quickly. Many local businesses, however, will have missed the vital tourist season: Christmas.
Reporting by Javier Verdin Editing by Stefanie Eschenbacher and Richard Chang
