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Many feared dead in Philippines Many feared dead in Philippines
(about 4 hours later)
Hundreds are feared dead in the Philippines after a typhoon battered the north and centre of the country, triggering deadly mudslides. Hundreds of people are feared dead in the Philippines after a powerful typhoon battered the country, triggering deadly mudslides.
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. Red Cross officials in the country said at least 388 people died, and nearly 100 were still missing.
Villages near Mayon volcano, south-east of Manila, were among the worst-hit. The national office of civil defence in Manila reported that 198 people were killed and 260 missing.
Rains caused by Typhoon Durian brought mud and huge rocks down hillsides, burying at least two villages. Villages near Mayon volcano, south-east of Manila, were among the worst-hit by Typhoon Durian.
Rains caused by the storm brought mud and huge rocks down hillsides, burying at least two villages.
Five other villages were also affected, and rescuers in some cases resorted to digging through the mud with their hands for survivors.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.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 In pictures: Typhoon Durian 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 In pictures: Typhoon Durian
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 defence office spokesman Anthony Golez."We expect a heavy population to be affected by the typhoon," said Philippine civil defence office spokesman Anthony Golez.
Body bagsBody bags
The villages worst affected are Daraga, Busay and Santo Domingo, near Legazpi city in Albay province, 350km (220 miles) south of the capital, ManilaThe villages worst affected are Daraga, Busay and Santo Domingo, near Legazpi city in Albay province, 350km (220 miles) south of the capital, Manila
"All you can see are rooftops," Albay governor Fernando Gonzales said."All you can see are rooftops," Albay governor Fernando Gonzales said.
Thousands of villagers only returned home in September having been evacuated amid fears the Mayon volcano was about to erupt.Thousands of villagers only returned home in September having been evacuated amid fears the Mayon 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.
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.
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.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 waterNo water
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the military to assist medical teams in reaching submerged villages.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.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."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.""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.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.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.
Typhoons of this intensity are not uncommon in the north-west Pacific, says BBC meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker.Typhoons of this intensity are not uncommon in the north-west Pacific, says BBC meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker.
The region sees on average 27 storms a year, of which 17 become typhoons, he adds.The region sees on average 27 storms a year, of which 17 become typhoons, he adds.
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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