Philippines Super Typhoon Rai Death Toll Surges

Police Authorities in the Philippines say at least 208 people are now known to have died after a powerful storm struck the Country on Thursday.

Super Typhoon Rai with winds of about 195km/h sent some 300,000 people running for safety when it hit the country’s south-eastern islands.

At least 239 people were injured and 52 others have been reported missing by local police and Rescue teams have described scenes of “complete carnage”.

But establishing the scale of the losses is difficult, as communication to a number of areas has been cut off and there are fears widespread landslides and flooding may have claimed more lives.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an emergency appeal seeking 20 million Swiss francs or $22m to fund long-term relief efforts.

Red Cross emergency teams are reporting complete carnage in the coastal areas, with Homes, hospitals, school and community buildings have been ripped to shreds.

Thousands of military, coast guard and fire personnel have been deployed in the country’s worst-affected areas to assist with search and rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has conducted an aerial inspection of the areas ravaged by the storm.

There were also Videos posted on social media by his aides show extensive damage to Siargao, Dinagat and Mindanao islands.

Super Typhoon Rai is the most powerful to hit the Philippines in 2021, and comes late in the region’s typhoon season – with most cyclones developing between July and October.