Dean continues to batter Mexico

At least eight people have died since Dean, now downgraded to a tropical depression, brought gusts of up to 165mph (270km/h) to Mexico's coast.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon has visited two of the worst-affected states, Veracruz and Hidalgo.

In these states, more than 60,000 people are in temporary shelters.

Mr Calderon praised what he called the unity and co-ordination demonstrated by the authorities and citizens as they dealt with the storm.

But in Hidalgo state, more than 1,000 police officers were deployed to the town of Tulancingo, following reports of looting after thousands of people fled their flooded homes and businesses.

Meanwhile, Mexico's Economy Minister, Eduardo Sojo, said that the storm would not hinder economic growth.

Mexico's state oil company said oil production, 80% of which was cut due to the storm, would begin to return to normal on Friday.

Dean first crossed Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Tuesday as a maximum Category Five hurricane, toppling trees, wrecking homes, and causing flooding.

Dean has claimed at least 18 lives since it began its path through the Caribbean last week.

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US National Hurricane Centre
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