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 mudslides and the death toll could rise after the Philippines was battered by its fourth typhoon in as many months.
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 three 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, as rescuers searched for survivors.
In September, nearly 200 people were killed when Typhoon Xangsane hit the north and centre of the country.
Durian has caused havoc across northern and central Philippines affecting some 22,000 people.
The mudslides hit Albay province, with main casualties occurring in the villages of Daraga, Busay and Santo Domingo.
Heavy rains and winds gusting up to 265kph (165mph) have brought down power and telephone lines.
The area affected is near the city of Legaspi, 350km (220 miles) from the capital, Manila.
At least three people were reported killed in the town of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro province.
Disaster zone
Helicopters are carrying out aerial surveillance in cut-off areas.
"We expect a heavy population to be affected by the typhoon," said Philippine civil defense office spokesman Anthony Golez.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the military to assist medical teams in reaching submerged villages near Legaspi city in Albay province, 350km (220 miles) south of the capital, Manila.
Body bags
"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.
"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.
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.
Another Red Cross official later put that figure at 388 with 96 missing, although this was yet to be confirmed.
He said 200 body bags were being shipped to the disaster zone at the request of provincial officials.
Head of the national office of civil defence, Glen Rabonza, 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.
The villages worst affected were Daraga, Busay and Santo Domingo, although Pandang was also badly hit.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the military to assist medical teams in reaching submerged villages.
Legaspi mayor Noel Rosal, who visited Padang on Friday, told the Associated Press it could only be reached by foot as the bridge into the village had been washed away.
Typhoon Durian caused havoc across the central and northern Philippines after it hit the archipelago on Thursday.
"It's terrible. Based on our interviews with residents and village officials, more than 100 were killed or missing."
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said farmers in the coconut, rice and hemp-growing region had suffered around $10 million (£5 million) in losses.
Thousands of villagers in the foothills of Mount Mayon only returned home in September having been evacuated amid fears the volcano was about to erupt.
Illegal logging and mining raises the risk of mudslides during the typhoon season.
Mayon, the Philippines' most active volcano, had been rumbling for months and began emitting lava in mid-July.
Durian - named after a spiky Asian fruit - is the fourth typhoon to hit the Philippines in as many months.
Durian - named after a spiky Asian fruit - is expected to weaken into a tropical storm as it moves into the South China Sea.
It 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.
Are you in the area of Mayon? Have you been affected by Typhoon Durian? Send us your comments and experiences.Have you been affected by this incident? If you have any information that you'd like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.
In September, nearly 200 people were killed when Typhoon Xangsane hit the north and centre of the country.
Are you in the area of Mayon? Have you been affected by Typhoon Durian? Send us your comments and experiences.
