Three killed as strong waves lash Latin American coast

PANAMA CITY: Three people were killed, one is missing and hundreds had to evacuate after strong waves lashed the Pacific coast of Latin American countries from Mexico to Chile.
In Panama, one person was swept away by strong waves that prompted an alert from authorities on Saturday, while in Mexico a man drowned on the beach of Acapulco.
Waves over four metres high battered sea-side homes and flooded streets of the Mexican resort city.
The third death occurred in the Chilean city of Valparaiso where a European tourist was swept away and another person was injured, according to the nation's emergency office.
A 14-year-old boy was reported missing in El Salvador near the town of Playa Metalio. Numerous people had to be rescued and some 400 were evacuated as the strong waves damaged more than 50 homes across the country's coast.
Mexican authorities said that the sea swell is produced yearly by large storms and winds offshore.
The swell will likely affect the Pacific coast for the next four days and sportsmen and fishermen are advised to take extreme caution. – AFP