Philippines counts cost of deadly typhoon

At least 10 people have died after a powerful typhoon hit the central Philippines on Christmas Day, with the death toll likely to rise.

Typhoon Phanfone, also known as Ursula, carried gusts of close to 190km/h and made landfall several times across various islands, officials say.

Typhoon Phanfone began making landfall on Tuesday night, but continued to pass over the many islands of the central Philippines throughout Christmas Day. But the extent of the damage began to emerge only on Thursday.

Local media say at least 10 people had died – including a three-year-old boy – with most deaths occurring in Iloilo and Capiz provinces.

Tens of thousands of people were left stranded in ports as they tried to make their way home for Christmas.

Phanfone struck close to regions devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

More than 6,000 people were killed in November that year, making it the Philippines’ deadliest storm.

With winds of more than 310km/h, it was the most powerful storm to ever make landfall.

Via BBC