Six killed as typhoon hits northern Philippines
MANILA - Six people were killed while thousands fled to higher ground as powerful typhoon Goni brought torrential rains to the northern Philippines, triggering landslides and floods, officials said Saturday.
Five people died in the highlands of Benguet and Mountain provinces after they were buried in rocks and mud. A man was killed in nearby Ilocos Norte province after he was hit by a falling tree, according to Alexander Pama, executive director of the national disaster council.
Two others were reported missing in flooded areas while four people were injured, according to a disaster council report.
Roughly 1,200 people had been evacuated by Saturday, the report said.
Typhoon Goni was 140 kilometres northeast of the northern province of Cagayan on Saturday morning, with winds of up to 195kph (121mph), according to the state weather bureau.
