Acapulco's Central Market Devoured by Raging Inferno!
Devastating fire engulfs Acapulco's Central Market, leaving over 400 stores in ruins. Amidst the chaos, Acapulco's tourism industry thrives, and the Pumas football team undergoes intense preseason training. Swarms of bees and treacherous waves add to the city's events.
In a devastating blow to the heart of Acapulco's bustling market scene, a ferocious fire ripped through the central market, reducing over 400 stores to ashes. The alarm bells rang around 1:30 a.m. on Monday, jolting everyone from their slumber. Firefighters, Civil Protection personnel, soldiers of the Mexican Army, the National Guard, and even naval officers rushed to the scene to wage war against the relentless blaze. It was a battle that lasted for over four grueling hours, but in the end, they managed to douse the flames.
As the fiery demon raged on, anxious stallholders and owners helplessly watched their livelihoods go up in smoke. Desperate to salvage their belongings, they flocked to the market as early as 3:00 a.m., only to be turned away by stern security forces. To contain the chaos, several streets including Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, Feliciano Radilla, 2 de Agosto, Ignacio Vallarta, Constituyentes Avenue, and both directions of the Vía Rápida were closed off to traffic.
From the depths of the market's core, a colossal plume of inky black smoke ascended, casting a foreboding shadow upon the city. The smoke billowed into the sky from 2 a.m., tormenting the onlookers until after 7 o'clock. The harrowing sound of explosions reverberated through the adjacent roads, a grim reminder of the merchandise consumed by the ruthless inferno.
#Guerrero | Incendio en el mercado central de #Acapulco consumió la nave principal y al menos 500 locales resultaron dañados. pic.twitter.com/4VxphamGj0
— Adela Micha (@Adela_Micha) June 5, 2023
Amid this catastrophic event, Acapulco's tourism industry stood strong, defying the odds. The State Secretariat of Tourism revealed that hotel occupancy on Sunday reached a remarkable 78.5 percent, a substantial increase of 10.2 percent compared to Saturday. The three main tourism hubs experienced an overall average occupancy rate of 77 percent, up from 67.5 percent on the previous day.
The illustrious Golden Zone led the pack with a staggering 89.8 percent occupancy, followed by the Traditional Zone at 72.3 percent, and the Diamond Zone at 58 points. Even the condominiums in the Golden Zone managed to secure 20.3 percent occupancy, while the Diamond Zone reached 19.2 percent. Timeshares across Acapulco scored an average of 46.3 points.
Meanwhile, hotels in Ixtapa boasted an impressive 79 percent occupancy, with Zihuatanejo reaching 51.1 percent, culminating in an overall score of 75 points. The realm of timeshares in both cities thrived at a commendable 72.8 percent. Taxco, the enchanting city, achieved a respectable 69.5 percent occupancy in its charming hotel rooms, as confirmed by the state's Ministry of Tourism.
In another headline, plans for an ISSSTE hospital in Acapulco received a green light. The Acapulco Convention Center will serve as the site for this vital medical facility, promising improved healthcare services for the people of Acapulco.
Meanwhile, the tumultuous sea wreaked havoc on unsuspecting beachgoers. The powerful swell unleashed its fury, leaving six hapless bathers at the mercy of lifeguards and volunteers. These heroes of the surf worked tirelessly to rescue the distressed swimmers from the clutches of the raging waves. As if that wasn't enough, a precarious situation unfolded as a yacht, victim to mechanical failure, flirted perilously close to running aground on the shores of Puerto Marqués. Thankfully, a timely solution to the mechanical hiccup spared the vessel from an unfortunate fate, allowing it to navigate away from the treacherous sands.
The recent days have seen Guerrero's government issuing warnings to the population about the dreaded "mar de fondo" phenomenon. This natural phenomenon, which has been present since April but intensified towards the end of May, brings with it a relentless onslaught of high waves along the coast. The increased intensity has caused a wave of concern among residents and visitors alike, leading to tragic incidents and daring rescues along the state's picturesque beaches. The "mar de fondo" phenomenon occurs due to a combination of powerful winds and far-off storm activity in the open sea, resulting in a dramatic surge along the coastline.
On a lighter note, the formidable Pumas football team has been working tirelessly during their preseason training in Acapulco. According to Julio González, a member of the team, the beach sessions in Guerrero proved to be an intense but necessary preparation for the upcoming Apertura 2023 and the Leagues Cup. The feline footballers engaged in rigorous double and sometimes triple training sessions, encompassing gym workouts, beach drills, and field practices. Their dedication knows no bounds as they strive to be in top form for the forthcoming challenges.
In a rather bizarre incident, an unsuspecting family fell victim to an unwelcome encounter with a swarm of Africanized bees in the Costa Azul subdivision of Acapulco. The unfortunate episode unfolded on Friday, leaving the family in distress. However, the swift response from Acapulco firefighters ensured that the situation was brought under control. Miraculously, even a five-year-old child emerged unscathed from the ordeal. The family found themselves trapped inside their home on Comandante Baresford Street, held hostage by the unwelcome guests buzzing outside.
The community, market stall owners, and visitors band together, supporting one another in the face of adversity. Acapulco will rebuild, rising from the ashes like a phoenix, ready to welcome tourists and locals alike with open arms and a renewed sense of vigor.
