Tropical storm Fernand killed 13 people in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz, dpa quoted Mexican authorities as saying Monday. Veracruz Governor Javier Duarte said that the deaths happened in the municipalities of Yecuatla, Tuxpan and Atzalan. The storm hit Veracruz, on the Caribbean, late Sunday with strong winds, heavy rain, mudslides and flooding. The storm was degraded to a tropical depression Monday, although it continued to pour heavy rain over the Mexican states of Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo and others in central and north-eastern Mexico. Veracruz schools remained closed Monday, and the authorities evaluated suspending them Tuesday too.