Hurricane Karl claimed 16 lives in Mexico

MEXICO CITY - Hurricane Karl claimed at least 16 lives last week in Mexico, according to Monday’s updated official death toll.

The state of Veracruz, worst-hit by the hurricane’s rain and flooding, suffered 12 of the country’s fatalities. Several people remain missing.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon toured storm-ravaged areas Monday in Veracruz and met with civil protection coordinator Laura Gurza.

Federal authorities have confirmed two deaths in the state of Puebla. There was one death in Oaxaca and one death in Tabasco.

Veracruz Governor Fidel Herrera said that Karl had affected 500,000 people in the state, including 100,000 residents who had to flee their homes, and there were some complaints in the state of looting in evacuated areas. The hurricane left millions of dollars in infrastructure damage.

Karl made landfall Friday on the Gulf of Mexico coast about 15 km north of the city of Veracruz, with sustained winds of up to 185 km per hour and higher gusts.

The storm weakened rapidly over land but dropped heavy rain in 11 other Mexican states.