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Tuesday, 21 August 2007, 03:58 GMT 04:58 UK

In pictures: Dean rushes for Mexico

An army soldier helps an elderly man at a storm shelter before Hurricane Dean arrives in Chetumal

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Mexican authorities have evacuated tourist resorts and set up relief shelters as Category Five Hurricane Dean approaches the Yucatan Peninsula.

Chetumal residents rest at a hurricane shelter at a local school

Chetumal residents rest at a hurricane shelter at a local school

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Residents gathered at hurricane shelters just hours before Dean was due to hit the town of Chetumal, Mexico.

1 A man walks along the beach in Cancun next to a red flag warning of the arrival of Hurricane Dean in Cancun, Mexico

1 A man walks along the beach in Cancun next to a red flag warning of the arrival of Hurricane Dean in Cancun, Mexico

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Resorts and hotels in Cancun were left empty as thousands of tourists fled Mexico.

A hotel is shuttered in anticipation of Hurricane Dean's arrival in Cancun, Mexico

A hotel is shuttered in anticipation of Hurricane Dean's arrival in Cancun, Mexico

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But some, such as the owners of this Cancun hotel, put on a brave face.

Tourists wait to evacuate from Cancun's international airport

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Evacuated tourists flocked to Mexico's airports, but not all were able to find a flight back home.

A Mexican Army soldier stands guard near a shop in Chetumal, Mexico

A Mexican Army soldier stands guard near a shop in Chetumal, Mexico

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The army deployed thousands of troops in Quintana Roo state.

A woman stocks up on provisions in Chetumal, Mexico

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Supermarket shelves were left bare as residents stocked up on emergency provisions.

Israel Martinez boards up the windows of his shop in Tulum, Mexico,

Israel Martinez boards up the windows of his shop in Tulum, Mexico,

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But other businesses and shops were boarded up and closed as a precaution.

Winds gust at the ancient ruins of Tulum, Mexico

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Ancient Mayan sites including the temple ruins of Tulum sit in the path of Dean.

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