During the first minutes of Oct. 25, Hurricane Otis tore into Acapulco Bay with winds of 165 mph. Sailor Ruben Torres recorded a 10-second audio message on Sereno, one of 614 boats in the bay that night that ended up damaged or on the ocean floor. Torres and the boat’s captain are missing. The hurricane officially killed 48 people, with at least 26 still missing.
Families of those aboard the boats have reported more people missing, highlighting the devastation caused by Otis. Residents were taken by surprise by the gathering strength of the hurricane, and crews who typically seek shelter on their boats were unable to avoid the storm’s destructive force.
In Acapulco, the damage was extensive – tens of thousands of homes were destroyed, neighborhoods flooded, and luxury hotels were left hollowed by the hurricane’s wrath. On the water, both personal and professional rescuers have organized to search for missing loved ones and colleagues.
The damage left behind by Hurricane Otis has permanently changed the lives of residents and families waiting for answers. Susana Ramos’ husband, Ruben Torres, is missing after recording a heartfelt message asking for prayers for his ship and crew. Despite hearing heartbreaking news of the hurricane’s destruction, many are clinging to hope for positive outcomes.