At least 72 dead, dozens feared missing as storm lashes Philippines

Officials confirmed on Saturday, flash floods and landslides left at least 72 people dead, in southern Philippine province, where as many as 60 villagers are feared missing and buried in a deluge of rainwater, mud, rocks and trees.

42 people were swept away by rampaging floodwaters, by drowning or were hit by debris-filled mudslides on Thursday night to early Friday, said Naguib Sinarimbo, the interior minister.

The government‍‍`s disaster-response organization reported that five other people died elsewhere as a result of Tropical Storm, which hit the eastern province of Camarines Sur early on Saturday.

“That community will be our ground zero today,” Sinarimbo said, adding that heavy equipment and more rescue workers including army, police and volunteers have been deployed to intensify the search and rescue work.