Her Majesty the Queen has sent her condolences to those affected by Hurricane Eta. 

The category-four hurricane swept across Central America last week, leaving at least 57 dead and more than 100 missing. Thousands have been evacuated. 

In her message to the Heads of State of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua, the Queen said she and Prince Phillip were "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by Hurricane Eta."

She went on to say: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured or lost their lives, and all those whose homes and livelihoods have been affected."

Torrential rains and winds caused by the hurricane caused many floods and landslides and left entire villages underwater. Streams and rivers burst their banks causing mudslides.

As a result, aid organisations are struggling to reach those in need and have warned that a slow-moving humanitarian disaster is making its way across the region.  

Pope Francis has also urged Christians to pray for the affected area. In a Twitter post, the Pontiff said: "Let us pray for the populations of Central America.

"May the Lord welcome the deceased, comfort their families and sustain those most in need, as well as all those who are doing all they can to help them."

Eta has now made landfall in the Florida Keys, with heavy rains already flooding some cities. The hurricane most recently passed through Mexico and Panama, but it is Guatemala that has been hit hardest.