Search for missing in Philippine floods, more than 500 dead
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Manila - The death toll rose to more than 500 as rescuers Sunday plucked bodies from the sea after floods devastated two southern Philippine cities and nearby areas, civil defence and Red Cross officials said.
Soldiers, coast guard teams, local rescuers and volunteers scoured the waters off the southern cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan for survivors of the floods triggered by Tropical Storm Washi.
"It's overwhelming," said Benito Ramos, administrator of the Office of Civil Defence (OCD). "There are so many missing. Many were swept to the sea and some of the bodies probably sank and will take days to float. It will take some time to complete this task."
Washi slammed into the southern Philippines Friday, dumping torrential rains that caused rivers to overflow. The floods hit overnight as residents were sleeping. Rushing waters washed away people, some in their beds, houses and vehicles.
One woman told a local radio station in Cagayan de Oro City that she and several other people desperately clung to a floating tire in darkness as the floods tore through homes and swept them 32 kilometres away to a beach shore.
"It was my worst nightmare," she said.
Dead bodies lined some streets of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, which were worst hit by the floods.
Cagayan de Oro City suffered the most deaths at 252, according to the OCD. In nearby Iligan City, at least 195 were killed, said Gwen Pang, secretary general of the Philippine National Red Cross.//DPA
