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Philippines: 'bodies in the streets', with many feared dead in typhoon Haiyan Philippines: 'bodies in the streets', with many feared dead in typhoon Haiyan
(35 minutes later)
At least 100 people may have died in the Philippines from the impact of super typhoon Haiyan, a senior government official said on Saturday.At least 100 people may have died in the Philippines from the impact of super typhoon Haiyan, a senior government official said on Saturday.
Bodies were lying in the streets, according to an initial report from an aviation officer in the central city of Tacloban, said Captain John Andrews, deputy director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.Bodies were lying in the streets, according to an initial report from an aviation officer in the central city of Tacloban, said Captain John Andrews, deputy director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Andrews told the Associated Press the information about the deaths was relayed to him by his staff in Tacloban.
"The information is reliable," he said.
Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever to hit land, was leaving the Philippines behind on Saturday morning local time, having flattened houses, triggered landslides and floods and knocked out power and communications across a number of islands. Nearly 750,000 people were forced to flee their homes.Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever to hit land, was leaving the Philippines behind on Saturday morning local time, having flattened houses, triggered landslides and floods and knocked out power and communications across a number of islands. Nearly 750,000 people were forced to flee their homes.
Forecasters said the storm was expected to pick up renewed strength over the South China Sea on its way toward Vietnam.Forecasters said the storm was expected to pick up renewed strength over the South China Sea on its way toward Vietnam.
There were hopes the Philippines had avoided a worse disaster because the rapidly moving typhoon blew away before wreaking more damage, officials said.There were hopes the Philippines had avoided a worse disaster because the rapidly moving typhoon blew away before wreaking more damage, officials said.
But because communications were severed, it was impossible to know the full extent of casualties and damage. Early reports said at least two people were electrocuted in storm-related accidents, one person was killed by a fallen tree and another was struck by lightning.But because communications were severed, it was impossible to know the full extent of casualties and damage. Early reports said at least two people were electrocuted in storm-related accidents, one person was killed by a fallen tree and another was struck by lightning.
Southern Leyte governor Roger Mercado said the typhoon ripped roofs off houses and triggered landslides that blocked roads. The dense clouds and heavy rains made the day seem almost as dark as night, he said.Southern Leyte governor Roger Mercado said the typhoon ripped roofs off houses and triggered landslides that blocked roads. The dense clouds and heavy rains made the day seem almost as dark as night, he said.
"When you're faced with such a scenario, you can only pray and pray and pray," Mercado told the Associated Press by telephone. He said mayors in the province had not called in to report any major damage."When you're faced with such a scenario, you can only pray and pray and pray," Mercado told the Associated Press by telephone. He said mayors in the province had not called in to report any major damage.
"I hope that means they were spared and not the other way around," he said. "My worst fear is there will be massive loss of lives and property.""I hope that means they were spared and not the other way around," he said. "My worst fear is there will be massive loss of lives and property."
Eduardo del Rosario, head of the disaster response agency, said the speed at which the typhoon sliced through the central islands helped prevent its 375-mile band of rain clouds dumping enough of their load to overflow waterways. Flooding from heavy rains is often the main cause of deaths from typhoons.Eduardo del Rosario, head of the disaster response agency, said the speed at which the typhoon sliced through the central islands helped prevent its 375-mile band of rain clouds dumping enough of their load to overflow waterways. Flooding from heavy rains is often the main cause of deaths from typhoons.
"It has helped that the typhoon blew very fast in terms of preventing lots of casualties," regional military commander Lieutenant-general Roy Deveraturda said. He said the evacuation of so many villagers before the storm also saved many lives."It has helped that the typhoon blew very fast in terms of preventing lots of casualties," regional military commander Lieutenant-general Roy Deveraturda said. He said the evacuation of so many villagers before the storm also saved many lives.
As relief workers began assessing the damage, US secretary of state John Kerry said his country stood ready to help.As relief workers began assessing the damage, US secretary of state John Kerry said his country stood ready to help.
"Having so recently had my own visit to the Philippines prevented by another powerful storm, I know that these horrific acts of nature are a burden that you have wrestled with and courageously surmounted before. Your spirit is strong," Kerry said in a statement."Having so recently had my own visit to the Philippines prevented by another powerful storm, I know that these horrific acts of nature are a burden that you have wrestled with and courageously surmounted before. Your spirit is strong," Kerry said in a statement.
Among the evacuees were thousands of residents of Bohol who had been camped in tents and other makeshift shelters since a magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit the island province last month.Among the evacuees were thousands of residents of Bohol who had been camped in tents and other makeshift shelters since a magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit the island province last month.
Relief workers said they were struggling to find ways to deliver food and other supplies, with roads blocked by landslides and fallen trees.Relief workers said they were struggling to find ways to deliver food and other supplies, with roads blocked by landslides and fallen trees.
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