This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/17/mangkhut-leaves-death-destruction-and-chaos-from-philippines-to-china

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Mangkhut causes death and destruction, from Philippines to China Typhoon Mangkhut: landslide buries dozens sheltering in miners' bunkhouse
(35 minutes later)
At least 34 bodies have been recovered and another 30 people are still missing after a landslide caused by Typhoon Mangkhut buried a bunkhouse in the Philippines where dozens of miners had taken shelter. At least 34 bodies have been recovered and another 30 people are still missing after a landslide caused by Typhoon Mangkhut buried a miners’ bunkhouse in the Philippines where dozens of people had taken shelter.
The landslide struck in Itogon in the mountain province of Benguet, which was one of the worst hit areas by the category 5 typhoon that swept through the Philippine region of Luzon on Saturday, wreaking destruction on homes and crops, and causing massive landslides and flooding. The landslide struck a remote town in Itogon in the mountain province of Benguet, about 125 miles north of Manila. Benguet was one of the worst affected areas after a category five typhoon swept through the Philippine region of Luzon on Saturday, wreaking destruction on homes and crops, and causing massive flooding.
Over 60 miners had taken refuge in a former warehouse bunkhouse, now converted into a chapel, at the height of the typhoon. However, when the storm hit, part of the mountain collapsed on top of the building, enveloping it in mud and trapping those inside. More than 60 people had taken refuge in a former warehouse bunkhouse, now converted into a chapel, at the height of the typhoon. However, when the storm hit, part of the mountain collapsed on top of the building, enveloping it in mud and trapping those inside.
There have been mixed reports about the exact body count from the landslide. At least 34 people are confirmed dead, according to Philippine defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana. He said at least 30 people are still missing, adding that rescue teams were working “as fast as they can. There might still be survivors.” Rescuers used shovels and their bare hands to claw through mounds of rocky soil on Monday. Hundreds of rescuers in rows formed a human chain to pass rocks, debris and tree trunks out of the search area.
But according to the presidential spokesman Harry Roque, at least 43 bodies have been pulled from the mud. The massive landslide left a gaping gash in the otherwise green hillside that was studded with small homes topped with rusting metals roofs. With damaged roads preventing the entry of heavy equipment, soldiers, police and miners also used shovels and channelled water from a nearby stream to loosen the earth.
Ricardo Jalad, the Philippines civil defence chief, told the Guardian rescuers were racing to try and find survivors in the mud. It was excruciatingly slow work, as anguished relatives watched and waited for word on their missing loved ones. Recovered bodies were draped in fabric and lined up in a row at a makeshift tent on a nearby road above the bunkhouse.
“The military and the police are supported by rescue teams, engineers, and geologists,” he said. “We have augmented personnel in the area in order to manage their response operations.” There have been mixed reports about the exact body count. At least 34 people are confirmed dead, according to the Philippine defence secretary, Delfin Lorenzana. He said at least 30 people were still missing, adding that rescue teams were working “as fast as they can” and there might still be survivors”.
But according to the presidential spokesman, Harry Roque, at least 43 bodies have been pulled from the mud.
Ricardo Jalad, the Philippines civil defence chief, said rescuers were racing to try to find survivors in the mud. The military and police were being supported by rescue teams, engineers and geologists, he said.
The environment secretary, Roy Cimatu, flew to the area on Monday to investigate what had happened. “We will not stop until we will recover [people] – whether they are still alive – in the mining area in the place of that incident,” he said.The environment secretary, Roy Cimatu, flew to the area on Monday to investigate what had happened. “We will not stop until we will recover [people] – whether they are still alive – in the mining area in the place of that incident,” he said.
The mayor of Itogon, Victorio Palangdan, said the local police had tried to make the miners, who were working on the disused gold mine illegally, leave the bunkhouse before the typhoon hit but they had refused. “They thought they were really safe there,” the Mayor said on Sunday. The mayor of Itogon, Victorio Palangdan, said the police had tried to make the miners – who were working on the disused goldmine illegally – leave the bunkhouse before the typhoon hit, but they had refused. “They thought they were really safe there,” the mayor said on Sunday. On Monday he told reporters: “We believe that those people there, maybe 99%, are already dead.”
At least 64 people have been confirmed dead in the Philippines, with the death toll expected to rise, and an estimated total of 5.7 million people in the country are thought to have been affected by the storm. The livelihoods of thousands has been devastated as crops were flooded just a few weeks before the harvest. At least 64 people have been confirmed dead across the Philippines, with the death toll expected to rise, and an estimated 5.7 million people in the country are thought to have been affected by the storm. The livelihoods of thousands has been devastated as crops were flooded just a few weeks before the harvest.
The storm hit the densely populated southern coast of China on Sunday night. More than 2.4 million people were evacuated, and four people have died, according to Chinese state media. The storm is now headed for the Yunnan province, a popular tourist area. The storm hit the densely populated southern coast of China on Sunday night. More than 2.4 million people were evacuated, and four have died, according to Chinese state media. The storm is now headed for Yunnan province, a popular tourist area.
The Hong Kong Observatory said Mangkhut was the most powerful cyclone to hit the city since 1979.The Hong Kong Observatory said Mangkhut was the most powerful cyclone to hit the city since 1979.
Agence France-Presse contributed to this report
Typhoon MangkhutTyphoon Mangkhut
Natural disasters and extreme weather
Philippines
ChinaChina
Hong KongHong Kong
Philippines
Asia PacificAsia Pacific
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content