Typhoon Tino death toll climbs to at least 66

TYPHOON KALMAEGI, locally known as Tino, left at least 66 dead, 26 missing and over a million individuals affected after its onslaught caused widespread flooding and massive destruction across the Visayas, particularly in Cebu, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

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Diego A. Mariano, deputy spokesperson of the OCD, confirmed that 49 of the reported deaths were in Cebu, mainly due to fallen debris, landslides, and flooding, with some incidents still under investigation.

The death toll also included six military personnel who died on Tuesday in a helicopter crash in Agusan del Sur en route to Butuan City fora humanitarian mission.

The provinces of Bohol, Capiz, and Leyte each reported one death, all caused by fallen trees.

The Negros Island Region recorded seven deaths: two were due to fallen debris and drowning, while the causes of the remaining five are still under investigation.

Mr. Mariano also said a total of 26 individuals were missing, with 13 in Cebu and another 13 in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

There were also ten reported injuries caused by fallen debris and floodwaters, while the causes of the others have yet to be determined.

The typhoon was last located 330 kilometers east northeast of Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan Islands, where a Wind Signal No. 2is currently hoisted, the state weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. bulletin.

It was packing 140 kilometers per hour (kph) of sustained winds, gustiness of up to 170 kph and was moving west northwestward at 30 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also placed Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands and the rest of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands under Wind Signal No. 1.