05/12/2012 17:38
Philippines: Typhoon Bopha leaves over 270 dead
156 people alone have been killed in the worst-affected province of Compostela Valley, after Bopha slammed into the eastern coast of Mindanao island in the southern Philippines on Tuesday.
The Telegraph reported that bringing winds gusting up to 130mph and torrential rain, it is the most powerful storm to hit the Philippines this year.
At least 66 villagers and soldiers died after flash floods overwhelmed emergency shelters and a military camp in New Bataan town.
"They thought 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.
Another 245 people who had taken refuge in New Bataan town are reported missing, with many believed to be buried beneath mud slides. Mr Uy said that the sheer speed of the flood waters had engulfed many local residents.