‘Basyang’ leaves 20 dead, major damage 07/15/2010

50% power restored in Metro Manila, Luzon ‘Basyang’ leaves 20 dead, major damage 07/15/2010 The death toll from a typhoon that tore across the country rose to 20 yesterday, authorities said. At least 12 persons were crushed to death by trees, walls and other objects, while most of the others drowned and one was electrocuted, according to authorities. The deaths occurred in six provinces on the Philippines’ main island of Luzon, including on the outskirts of Manila. The tally of 20 was compiled by Agence France Presse from reports by various military, police, civil defense and local government officials. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the government body that normally compiles death tolls during disasters, said in its latest report yesterday morning that seven people had been confirmed killed. But it acknowledged the final death toll would be higher, as it had yet to compile all its data and restore downed communication links to outlying areas. The council told reporters it would release a new figure yesterday. Eleven fishermen also remain missing off the Bicol region southeast of Manila, while three other people were unaccounted for south of the capital after flooding swept away their shanties, according to the military. Basyang (International code name Conson), packing maximum gusts of 120 kilometers an hour, hit Luzon late on Tuesday, then ripped through Manila and neighboring areas on Wednesday. The typhoon left a trail of wreckage in Manila and sweeping shanties into the sea, officials and witnesses said Wednesday. The official civil defense office said 19 fishermen from the eastern island of Catanduanes had failed to return home and were missing at sea after the typhoon hit the area late Tuesday. .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100715hed1.html

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