Typhoon Bebinca death toll rises

Typhoon Bebinca death toll rises

MANILA (AFP): The Typhoon Bebinca death toll in the Philippines has reached 40 people, disaster officials said on Sunday, as reports trickled in from areas where communications have been reestablished.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said search and rescue operations were continuing for at least 13 missing people.

It said many of those who died were swept away by floodwaters or buried by landslides after heavy rains loosened soil in many hilly areas.

Some 189,680 people were moved to safer locations after the typhoon caused heavy flooding and destroyed houses in several provinces.