Lagatar24 Desk
Manila, Dec 21: The death toll from the strongest typhoon rai, which made landfall in the Philippines last week, has spiked to 375, the national police said on Tuesday. At least 56 people are still missing.
“The increase of casualties is subject to validation from the affected regions,” Xinhua news agency quoted the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) latest report as saying.
The report said deaths caused by the 15th and the most destructive typhoon to hit the Southeast Asian country this year occurred in Central Visayas and the Caraga region in the north-eastern Mindanao island.
“I have directed the armed forces to deploy all available assets such as ships, boats, aircraft, and trucks to bring relief goods to the stricken areas and the deployment of troops if necessary,” Lorenzana said.
“Meanwhile, 29 foreign nationals have been evacuated from Siargao Island that is famous for surfing. The tourists have been identified, and they are in good condition,” said NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal.
The typhoon packed sustained winds of 195 kilometers (121 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 270 kph (168 mph) before it blew out Friday into the South China Sea.
Notably,58 deaths reported on Monday while only four of the victims have been confirmed, informed The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
