Death toll from Typhoon Xangsane rises to 48
The death toll from a powerful typhoon that cut across the northern Philippines today rose to at least 48 with dozens of people missing in floods and landslides as residents mounted a massive cleanup.
The financial markets, schools and government offices in the capital, Manila, remained closed for a second day since Typhoon Xangsane slammed ashore late on Wednesday.
Most of the deaths occurred in Laguna province, south of Manila, said Romeo Panisales, a provincial social welfare officer. At least 19 people were killed in landslides and flash floods in the town of Santa Rosa and another 15 in five other towns.
Another 29 people were missing in the same province.
The coastguard reported that a yacht with at least six crew members was missing in Manila Bay while heading to the Manila Yacht Club from a nearby port.
A crew member of another boat in Batangas province south of Manila was also reported missing when it sank during the typhoon.
