| Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC October 28, 2005 U.S. Government Action to Assist American Citizens in Mexico/Hurricane Wilma Response - UpdateHurricane Wilma caused massive damage in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The Department of State has actively sought to ensure that U.S. citizens are safe, have access to basic services, and will be able to return to the United States as quickly as possible. A task force at the Department of State continues to handle queries from the public. It is operating from 8:00am - 11:00pm EST through Sunday, October 30, and can be reached toll free at 1-888-407-4747 or from overseas at 1-202-501-4444. For emergency calls when the Task Force is closed, please dial 1-202-647-4000. Callers in Mexico requiring assistance may call the U.S. Embassy command center at (01-55) 5080-2000, which will be open 6:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. An Embassy duty officer is available all other hours. Consular officers in and around Cancun have addressed nearly 100 reported medical cases of U.S. citizens and are working to assist them in obtaining medical care and in returning to the United States. U.S. consular officials remain in Cancun, Merida, and Cozumel. These individuals are assisting American citizens with transportation to airports and with obtaining medical assistance, when needed, from Mexican and Red Cross authorities. A U.S. consular officer is available at the Cancun airport during the day in a booth opposite the Mexicana counter. Consular officers also will be available at the LaSalle center as long as those operations continue. The Consular Agency building was damaged during the hurricane. Beginning Oct 29, the consular agency will operate an office at the Oasis Americana Hotel, Avenida Tulum Centro Cancun. A consular officer will be at the hotel to answer questions, provide information, and serve as a point of contact for American citizens needing assistance. Consular officials continue to work with local officials and travel companies to arrange the departure of several thousand Americans from the hurricane-stricken areas and will continue their efforts until all Americans who wish to leave are able to do so. We estimate this may take a few more days. U.S. officials are visiting shelters and hotels, to determine the condition of American citizens and assist in securing seats on U.S. flights, giving priority to the sick and elderly. When alerted to medical emergencies of American citizens in specific shelters, U.S. consular personnel are directing Red Cross ambulances to those locations to ensure the Americans receive proper medical care. As of October 28, officers in Cancun have followed up on nearly 100 high priority medical cases. U.S. consular employees issue transportation letters when travel documents are lost and work with Mexican authorities to arrange temporary shelter until people are able to find flights to the U.S. or make other arrangements to depart. When alerted to security problems in the vicinity of shelters with American citizens, our consular personnel have immediately consulted with the Mexican authorities, urging them to respond. To thwart looting, Cancun police have set up checkpoints throughout the city and imposed a 7 p.m. curfew, quickly returning calm to the city. Embassy Mexico City estimates that on average, four thousand Americans per day have departed Cancun airport on U.S. bound flights since the opening of the Cancun Airport on October 25th. Consular officers at the airport have reported 30 departures today. Flights from Merida and Cancun will continue to be available for Americans still remaining in the Yucatan. There are few, if any, Americans who wish to leave remaining in Cozumel or Merida. Commercial and charter air service at Cancun airport remains limited to daytime arrivals and departures. Ferry service to Cozumel has been restored and the airport is also open, but flights are limited. AIRPORT CONDITIONS, AIRLINE FLIGHTS: The airport in Cancun resumed passenger operations on October 25. Northwest, United, Delta, American, America West, US Airways and Continental Airlines are expected to have flights out of Cancun through the weekend with expanded service by several airlines, in addition to several charters. Standard flight services are hampered by damaged airport equipment and a lack of electricity. The Cancun Airport will be open for all flights from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30 and plans to resume 24-hour operations on Monday, October 31. All airline ticket holders should go to pick up boarding passes at Cancun Airport EXCEPT for the following: US AIR and Spirit Airlines passengers go to the MCDonalds in Avenida Kabah; United Airlines passengers go to the Hertz office in Avenida Yachilan; USA 3000 passengers go to Amstar Office in Avenida Palenque; and Frontier Airlines passengers go to the office in Plaza Mexico. Alaska Airlines reservation-holders should present themselves to the Continental Airlines agents. For up-to-date information, contact your airline and/or your travel agent. Further airline telephone and internet contact information may be found at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/contacts.htm. The airport in Merida is open, and both commercial and charter flights continue to depart. Road conditions between Cancun and Merida remain poor, but passable. Most American citizens will have departed Merida by Friday. Mexican authorities established a shelter for travelers waiting to depart Merida airport, and provided blankets, food and water to travelers remaining at the airport.
COZUMEL: Ferry service is now relatively normal. Most, if not all remaining Americans have now left the island. The U.S. consular agent in Cozumel is working with any American citizens remaining in Cozumel to assist them with transportation arrangements. Limited commercial air service continues. 2005/998 |
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