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Philippine storm toll set to rise Philippine storm toll set to rise
(about 2 hours later)
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. Hundreds are feared dead in the Philippines after a typhoon battered the north and centre of the country, triggering deadly mudslides.
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. The Red Cross said 134 people were confirmed dead, but that figure was certain to rise because at least double that number were still missing.
Five other villages were also affected, as rescuers searched for survivors. Villages near Mayon volcano, south-east of Manila, were among the worst-hit.
Durian has caused havoc across northern and central Philippines affecting some 22,000 people. Rains caused by Typhoon Durian brought mud and huge rocks down hillsides, burying at least two villages.
Heavy rains and winds gusting up to 265kph (165mph) have brought down power and telephone lines. Five other villages were also affected, and rescuers in some cases resorted to digging through the mud with their hands for survivors.
The full extent of the damage wrought by Durian is not yet known because power and telephone lines have been brought down, but as many as 22,000 people across the region are thought to have been affected.
All the shops are closed and we are living by the light of kerosene lamps. We are very afraid Maria SalvinoLegazpi resident Animated guide: Typhoons
At least three people were reported killed in the town of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro province.At least three people were reported killed in the town of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro province.
Helicopters are carrying out aerial surveillance in cut-off areas.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. "We expect a heavy population to be affected by the typhoon," said Philippine civil defence 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 bagsBody 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. The villages worst affected are Daraga, Busay and Santo Domingo, near Legazpi city in Albay province, 350km (220 miles) south of the capital, Manila
He said at least 75 people were still missing across Albay province. "All you can see are rooftops," Albay governor Fernando Gonzales said.
Another Red Cross official later put that figure at 388 with 96 missing, although this was yet to be confirmed. Thousands of villagers only returned home in September having been evacuated amid fears the Mayon volcano was about to erupt.
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.
The villages worst affected were Daraga, Busay and Santo Domingo, although Pandang was also badly hit.
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.
"It's terrible. Based on our interviews with residents and village officials, more than 100 were killed or missing."
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.
Mayon, the Philippines' most active volcano, had been rumbling for months and began emitting lava in mid-July.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 expected to weaken into a tropical storm as it moves into the South China Sea. The head of the Red Cross in the Philippines, Richard Gordon, told the BBC that 134 people had been confirmed dead with 169 missing, but the death toll could reach nearer 400 as the search for the missing continues.
The Philippines is hit by about 20 typhoons every year. 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.
No water
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the military to assist medical teams in reaching submerged villages.
One Legazpi resident, Maria Salvino, told the BBC News website how dozens of houses, including her own, were badly damaged by the force of the typhoon.
"The wind and the rain beat down hard. My house is flooded and our roof has been destroyed. We have no power and because there is no water, we are surviving on fizzy drinks," she said.
"All the shops are closed and we are living by the light of kerosene lamps. We are very afraid."
Durian - named after a spiky Asian fruit - is the fourth typhoon to hit the Philippines in the last three months.
It was expected to weaken into a tropical storm as it moves into the South China Sea.
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 Philippines is hit by about a dozen typhoons every year.
Are you in the area of Mayon? Have you been affected by Typhoon Durian? Send us your comments and experiences.
Are you in the area of Mayon? Have you been affected by Typhoon Durian? Send us your comments and experiences.
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