130 people killed by tropical storm in Philippines

Tropical storm kills 130 people and leaves many others missing as flash floods sweep across the Philippines.

Thousands of Philippines flee to higher ground as flash flood burst river banks following tropical Storm Washi
Thousands of Philippines flee to higher ground as flash flood burst river banks following tropical Storm Washi

At least 130 have been killed in the Philippines after a tropical storm struck the islands particularly the southern island of Mindano, around Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro.

At least five people were killed in a landslide in the east of the archipelago.

The city was the location where nearly 100 dead bodies were discovered and most of those were children.

Officials said that many others have been left missing as people in their thousands fled to higher ground to avoid flash floods.  

Reports were continuing to be made and casualties were expected to increase in number according to officials from the national disaster rescue agency.

An entire army division consisting of around 10,000 soldiers was involved in rescue efforts around Cagayan de Oro.

As people slept, the floodwaters had risen at an alarming rate overnight with riverbanks bursting after 25mm of rain fell in 24 hours.

Electricity cuts were seen across large areas and some domestic flights were cancelled as winds reached 90 km/h.