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Typhoon kills 146 in Philippines | Typhoon kills 146 in Philippines |
(about 3 hours later) | |
At least 146 people have been killed in the Philippines by a mudslide triggered by a typhoon, the Red Cross says. | At least 146 people have been killed in the Philippines by a mudslide triggered by a typhoon, the Red Cross says. |
Rains caused by Typhoon Durian brought mud and rocks down hillsides, burying two villages in the foothills of the Mayon volcano, south-east of Manila. | Rains caused by Typhoon Durian brought mud and rocks down hillsides, burying two villages in the foothills of the Mayon volcano, south-east of Manila. |
Five other villages were also affected, and as the search for the survivors continues, the death toll may rise. | Five other villages were also affected, and as the search for the survivors continues, the death toll may rise. |
In September, nearly 200 people were killed when Typhoon Xangsane hit the north and centre of the country. | In September, nearly 200 people were killed when Typhoon Xangsane hit the north and centre of the country. |
The mudslides hit Albay province, with main casualties occurring in the villages of Daraga, Busay and Santo Domingo. | |
The area affected is near the city of Legaspi, 350km (220 miles) from the capital, Manila. | The area affected is near the city of Legaspi, 350km (220 miles) from the capital, Manila. |
Disaster zone | |
"Our initial reports showed a total of 146 people were killed in three areas buried by mudslides," the head of local Red Cross Richard Gordon told Reuters news agency. | |
He said at least 75 people were still missing across Albay province. | |
The head of the national office of civil defence, Glen Rabonza, warned that the death toll could be as high as 200. | |
He said 200 body bags were being shipped to the disaster zone at the request of provincial officials. | |
Helicopters carried out aerial surveillance in cut-off areas after mobile phone signals failed and power lines went down. | |
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the military to assist medical teams in reaching submerged villages. | |
Typhoon Durian caused havoc across the central and northern Philippines after it hit the archipelago on Thursday. | |
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said farmers in the coconut, rice and hemp-growing region had suffered around $10 million (£5 million) in losses. | |
Illegal logging and mining raises the risk of mudslides during the typhoon season. | |
Durian - the fourth typhoon to hit the Philippines in as many months - is expected to weaken into a tropical storm as it moves into the South China Sea. | |
The Philippines is hit by about 20 typhoons every year. | The Philippines is hit by about 20 typhoons every year. |