Philippines death toll from Bualoi rises to 11

The death toll from Tropical Storm Bualoi rose to 11 in the Philippines on Saturday as the cyclone bore down on Vietnam, authorities said.

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Bualoi battered small islands in the centre of the Philippines on Friday, toppling trees and power pylons, ripping roofs off homes, unleashing floods and forcing 400,000 people to evacuate.

Among the worst hit was the tiny island of Biliran, where eight people died and two are missing, provincial disaster official Noel Lungay told reporters by telephone.

"There was widespread flooding and some roads remained under water early today," he said.

"Evacuees are starting to return to their homes as the weather improves," he added.