Hurricane Erick knocks down the Sailfish monument in Puerto Escondido (Video)

MEXICO CITY (apro).- A large wave generated by Hurricane Erika knocked down the Sailfish monument in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca.

The meteorological phenomenon made landfall at 5:30 a.m. (Central Mexico Time) as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale in the Oaxacan municipality of Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, with maximum winds of 205 kilometers per hour and gusts of 250 km/h.

Due to strong air currents, a wave nearly ten meters high hit the tourist attraction known as the Sailfish Monument, instantly knocking it down.

Hurricane Erika destroys an iconic monument in Mexico

Citizens are sharing videos on social media about the aftermath of Hurricane Erika. A massive wave from the storm destroyed the Pez Vela, the famous landmark located on Puerto Rico's main beach. pic.twitter.com/sIVbndt9dI

— Sputnik Mundo (@SputnikMundo) June 19, 2025

The iconic sculpture was located in Puerto Escondido's main bay, near the famous "El Adoquín" boulevard. It symbolized the importance of fishing, as well as the connection with the ocean.

The iconic Sailfish monument in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, was toppled by the strong waves generated by Hurricane Erika, which hit the territory as a Category 3 storm. The monument is a visual symbol of Puerto Escondido and represents the fishing tradition.

According to... pic.twitter.com/otfcxewLHQ — MEXICO AL MINUTO (@mexico_alminuto) June 20, 2025

On Thursday afternoon, it was announced that the Sailfish monument was rescued.

A Puerto Escondido resident recovered the iconic sailfish that fell under the impact of a wave more than 9 meters high due to Hurricane Erik, and which was captured on video.

Virgilio Luis pic.twitter.com/zbITrsQXPV — Oaxaca Capital (@OaxacaCapital) June 19, 2025

Damage to Oaxaca from Hurricane Erika

The Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) reported that no human losses were reported due to the arrival of the meteorological phenomenon.

Shocking in Puerto Escondido | A wave of more than 7 meters toppled the emblematic Sailfish monument, located in the main bay, after Hurricane Erick hit. #News #Puebla pic.twitter.com/eaSnMybNNZ — Janeth León M (@janethleontv) June 19, 2025

However, infrastructure damage was reported on 15 stretches of highway in the state: the Mitla-Tehuantepec Toll Road; the Barranca Larga-Ventanilla Highway (with four landslides); the San Juan de los Llanos-Comaltepec stretch of highway; and the Pinotepa-Corralero Highway.

Another incident occurred at the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) hospital in the municipality of Santa María Huatulco.

Damage was also reported to homes in the municipalities of Santo Domingo Tehuantepec, San Francisco Sola, and Santiago Textitlán.

The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) reported 123,757 affected users, mainly in the municipalities of Ometepec and Santiago Pinotepa Nacional.

The National Meteorological Service (SMN) of the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) reported that Hurricane Erika was downgraded to Category 1 after reaching the state of Guerrero and is now classified as a tropical storm.

This will bring heavy rains to Puebla, Veracruz, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, as well as strong gusts of wind and high waves along the coast.