At least 16 killed as Typhoon Phanfone hits the Philippines

A typhoon that swept across remote villages and popular tourist areas of the central Philippines on Christmas Day claimed at least 16 lives, authorities said Thursday.   

Typhoon Phanfone, with winds of 195 kilometres (120 miles) an hour, tore roofs off houses and toppled electric posts as it cut across the Philippines on Wednesday.   

With the internet and mobile phone networks still cut off in some badly damaged areas, a full assessment of Phanfone’s damage was not immediately possible on Thursday morning.   
But at least 16 people had been confirmed killed in villages and towns in the Visayas, the central third of the Philippines, according to disaster agency officials.  Phanfone also hit Boracay, Coron and other holiday destinations that are famed for their white-sand beaches and popular with foreign tourists.   

The airport at Kalibo, which services Boracay, was badly damaged, according to a Korean tourist who was stranded there and provided images to AFP.   

“Everything within 100 metres of the airport looks broken. There are a lot of frustrated people at the airport as flights have been cancelled.   

Tens of thousands of people in mostly Catholic nation had been forced to evacuate their homes on Wednesday, ruining Christmas celebrations. 
Manilan (Hindustan Times), 26 Dec 2019