The death toll has risen to at least 56, with 28 others missing, after a summer tropical depression unleashed days of pounding rain, causing landslides and floods in the central and southern Philippines, officials officials say. 9News
Nearly 200 villagers were injured mostly in the landslides in the hard-hit city of Baybay in central Leyte province over the weekend and early Monday, officials said.In this handout photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, residents are evacuated by rescuers in a flooded village in Panitan, Panay island.
Its mayor, Jose Carlos Cari, said the weather cleared on Wednesday, allowing the search and rescue work to go full force. "We are saddened by this dreadful incident that caused an unfortunate loss of lives and destruction of properties," said army brigade commander Colonel Noel Vestuir, who was helping oversee the search and rescue.Rescuers evacuate a resident to safer ground at Abuyog, Leyte province, central Philippines.