72 killed, 21 missing in Philippines storm

Manila, Sep 27: At least 72 people were killed and more than a quarter of a million displaced after tropical storm Ketsana dumped the heaviest rainfall, officials said on Sunday, Sep 27.

Manila and surrounding areas were lashed with heavy rains for nine hours on Saturday, Sep 26, leading to flash floods.

Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, heading the rescue efforts, said 72 people had so far been killed with at least 21 still missing.

More than 4,000 people have so far been rescued, either plucked by helicopters from their homes or by rubber boats but many are still stranded.

Teodoro said the storm had displaced nearly 280,000 people in Manila and five outlying provinces, with more than 41,000 people in 92 evacuation centres.

OneIndia News