UN chief condoles storm deaths in Mexico

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday offered condolences and assistance to Mexico over its loss of human life and property after two tropical storms killed nearly 100 people, while affecting 1.2 million others.

"The secretary-general extends his sincere condolences to the Mexican government and people, particularly the families of those who have been killed," reported Xinhua citing Ban's spokesperson in a statement. "He extends his solidarity to all those affected in this disaster."

The two tropical storms -- Ingrid and Manuel -- bore down on Mexico from the Pacific and the Atlantic, causing high levels of flooding and landslide. This is the first time since 1958 that two storms have hit the opposite coasts of the country within 24 hours.

Till Thursday, the toll from the two storms had risen to 97, with 58 people stil missing after a landslide flattened a village in southwest Mexico.

Meanwhile, about 40,000 tourists were stranded in Acapulco, a resort city in southwest Mexico, and nearly 50,000 people were forced to be evacuated from their homes.

A state of emergency has been declared in hundreds of municipalities, as further severe storms are expected.