Death toll in Manila hostage crisis rises to 10

Manila, Aug. 24 (ANI): The death toll from Monday's hostage crisis in Manila climbed to 10 early Tuesday, with another hostage succumbing to injuries in a Manila hospital.

A woman died at the San Juan de Dios Hospital, while at least three other hostages were declared dead at the Ospital ng Maynila, four at the Manila Doctors Hospital, and one at the Philippine General Hospital, Xinhua reports.

The tenth fatality was the hostage taker himself, dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza.

On the other hand, at least six hostages were still being treated in other hospitals in Manila.

Meanwhile, all government offices in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) lowered flags at half- mast Tuesday to mourn Hong Kong tourists killed in the abduction tragedy.

The Chinese government has strongly condemned the hostage taking of Chinese tourists by a former police officer in Manila and demanded the Philippine government thoroughly investigate the incident. (ANI)