Typhoon Durian triggers landslides in the Philippines (Hundreds killed)

International Herald Tribune ^ | December 1, 2006 | Carlos H. Conde

[Zakeet]

MANILA: Strong winds and heavy rains accompanying Typhoon Durian triggered massive landslides in the northern Philippine province of Albay, killing 198 people, officials said Friday. At least 260 people are missing.

The landslides swept through at least three villages late Thursday near Mayon, the most active volcano in the Philippines and one of the country's most famous tourist attractions because of its near-perfect cone.

The typhoon slammed into the eastern Philippines on Thursday morning, loosening the rock and mud that the volcano had deposited on its slopes earlier this year. Officials said debris cascaded into rivers and villages, beginning Thursday afternoon.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council put the death toll at 198 and the missing at 260 late on Friday and ordered the delivery to the disaster area of at least 200 body bags.

[Zakeet]

Prayers to those poor people.

[taxed2death]

Death toll 338 and climbing. :(

[KarlInOhio]

I heard the last part of this report this morning (hundreds dead) but missed the first part (typhoon). My first reaction was "What have those muderous Islamic nutjobs done now?"

[6323cd]

Now they're naming typhoons after fruit?

[Constitution Day]

Pretty nasty stuff, so I hear.