Three dead as Ernesto sweeps through Gulf of Mexico

Tropical storm Ernesto has killed three despite weakening to a depression as it continued to travel inland from the Gulf of Mexico.

Wind gusts and showers continued across the state of Veracruz but Ernesto was expected to dissipate over mountainous terrain.

However, the lives of three people were taken as torrential rain caused mudslides in a number of areas and threats of flash flooding seem imminent.

Emergency shelters are being prepared by authorities in Veracruz while the small Mina-Coatza airport was closed as waves of around 13 to 20 feet were observed along the coast.

The hurricane, which was downgraded to a tropical storm on Wednesday, resulted in two people drowning and around 100 houses to be damaged according to local officials of the state of Tabasco.

The third person fell to his death while trying to repair his home in Coatzacoalcos according to the local Red Cross unit.