Two dead and 1.2 million evacuated in Philippines as super-typhoon hits

More than a million people were ordered to evacuate in the Philippines yesterday as Typhoon Fung-wong - the second major storm to hit in days - made landfall on the east coast.

- Tess McClure Manila

The super-typhoon crossed over the north of the archipelago's most populous island, Luzon, with torrential rain, sustained winds of 115 mph and gusts of up to 140 mph.

It came days after Typhoon Kalmaegi hit the country, killing at least 224 people and leaving another 135 missing. Searches had to be suspended yesterday because of safety concerns for rescue workers.

At least two deaths from Typhoon Fung-wong were recorded before landfall as its rain and winds lashed the islands. The civil defence office reported that one person had drowned on the island of Catanduanes, and a woman had been trapped by a collapsed home in Catbalogan City in Samar province.

Juniel Tagarino, a rescuer in Catbalogan City, said the body of the 64-year-old woman, who had been trying to evacuate, had been pulled from under debris and fallen trees.

"The wind was so strong and the rain was heavy ... According to her family members, she might have forgotten something and went back inside her house," Tagarino said.