PHILIPPINES: Typhoon kills at least 59 in Philippines province, hundreds more missing in ferry capsize

Record ID: 699427

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: Typhoon kills at least 59 in Philippines province, hundreds more missing in ferry capsize
  • Date: 22nd June 2008
  • Summary: (W1) MANILA, PHILIPPINES (JUNE 22, 2008) (REUTERS) WEATHERMAN LOOKING AT SATELLITE IMAGE SATELLITE IMAGE OF TYPHOON FENGSHEN
  • Embargoed: 7th July 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Weather
  • Reuters ID: LVA6577KXSMO9R2B4JRMMWZKWJJ6
  • Story Text: Typhoon Fengshen kills at least 59 people in the central Philippines while more than 700 more are missing after a ferry capsizes.
    At least 59 people have been killed in the central Philippine province of Iloilo and the death toll could rise further after flashflooding from Typhoon Fengshen washed out communities, officials said on Sunday (June 22).
    Fengshen, with maximum gusts of up to 195 kph (121 mph), tore through the centre of the archipelago on Saturday(June 21), devastating Iloilo with floodwaters more than two metres high in some places.
    Local residents and authorities rushed to help the many people marooned by floodwaters, which had washed away houses and vehicles.
    More than 20,000 people were being housed in evacuation centres in the centre and south of the archipelago, where the storm had triggered flashfloods, landslides and ripped up trees and power lines.

    "Our homes were already inundated by flood waters. We can't approach our houses now because the currents are too strong. We got help just now when the rescuers reached us," said an unidentified evacuee.
    The typhoon, the sixth to hit the Philippines this year, pelted Manila with torrential rain and high winds on Sunday, triggering power outages in many parts of the capital.
    The international airport was relying on generators for power and passengers continued to cram into the departure terminal despite many flights being either delayed or cancelled.
    Initially forecast to spare the capital of Manila, the typhoon was moving through the main island of Luzon. Packing wind gusts of up to 150 kph, it is expected to exit on Sunday and head north towards Taiwan, according to storm tracker website www.tropicalstormrisk.com <http://www.tropicalstormrisk.com/>.
    Disaster officers urged people to remain vigilant.

    "In 24 hours, we expect the typhoon to pass through central Luzon that will bring about flooding and will affect crops," said Glenn Rabonza, administrator of the Office of Civil Defense and executive officer of the National Disaster Coordinating Council.
    Weather officials advised those living in affected areas to be on the alert for storm surges, flash floods, and landslides.
    The "Princess of the Stars" passenger vessel stalled in rough seas near Sibuyan Island in Romblon province, central Philippines with 704 passengers and 121 crew on board. Initial accounts from officials in Sibuyan island report at least four bodies sighted near the sunken ship.
    Rescue ships are experiencing difficulties in getting to the site of the sunken vessel because of strong winds and waves, said coast guard officials.
    END
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