05/12/2012 10:39
Philippine death toll from Typhoon Bopha rises
The death toll from a powerful storm that hit the southern Philippines is continuing to rise, as rescue teams headed for affected areas.
More than 100 people are now thought to have died after Typhoon Bopha struck Mindanao island on Tuesday, bringing rain and high winds.
Tens of thousands were evacuated ahead of the storm, which is now passing over the western island of Palawan.
In Andap village in east Mindanao, at least 43 were killed in flash floods.
Water and mud rushed down mountainous slopes to engulf a school and a village hall serving as evacuation centres.
"They thought that they were already secure in a safe area, but they didn't know the torrents of water would go their way," Compostela Valley Provincial Governor Arturo Uy told local media.
A road into the town was blocked by debris, reports said, but the military said it was hoping to get helicopters into the area to assess the situation.
Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said body bags and other emergency supplies would be rushed to affected areas.
"The bodies are left lying on the ground in the open in New Bataan and we don't want to risk the spread of disease," she told Agence-France Presse news agency.