Philippines typhoon tool looks set to top 1,000

27/06/2008

Rescue workers operating in the Philippines have warned that the death toll from last weekend's devastating typhoon could surpass 1,000.

While the official numbers of fatalities currently stands at 505, officials warn that more than 900 people remain missing and they say hopes of finding further survivors are rapidly dwindling.

At least 669 of those not accounted for were passengers and crew on a ferry which capsized off the coast of Sibuyan Island.

The MV Princess of the Stars encountered difficulties after Typhoon Frank suddenly changed course and headed north across the archipelago on Saturday (June 21st).

While the Philippine coast guard had initially predicted that many of the missing would be found alive on nearby islands or trapped within the floating hull of the vessel, such hopes have now largely been dashed.

Just 56 passengers and crew have so far been found alive, the country's National Disaster Coordinating Council said, and it is expected that many of the missing will never be recovered.

"Our heart beats out and our prayers go to the victims and to the families of the victims," Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo solemnly said during a state visit to Washington.

The US military has sent naval craft from Okinawa and Hawaii to assist in search-and-rescue missions, but observers say relief efforts will shortly begin focusing on recovery and reconstruction.

Typhoon Frank was not expected to hit the Philippines and when the MV Princess of the Stars set sail it was a minimal Category 1 storm.



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