Slow-moving storm claims over 30 lives in Philippines

Manila, December 17 

A slow-moving storm has left more than 30 persons dead and several others missing mostly due to landslides and floods and stranded thousands of holiday travelers in the central Philippines, officials said today.

Sofronio Dacillo Jr., a disaster-response officer, said 26 villagers died and 23 others were missing mostly due to landslides in different areas in the island province of Biliran, where the weather has improved after Tropical Storm Kai-Tak blew over yesterday.

At least seven other persons were killed in landslides and floods in four central areas due to Kai-tak, which weakened into a tropical depression but moved southwestward.

The storm forced more than 89,000 people to flee to emergency shelters. Thousands of Christmas holiday travellers were stranded due to canceled inter-island ferries and flights. — AP