Deadly Typhoon Slams Philippines

A deadly typhoon packing 105mph winds slammed the Philippines late yesterday, shortly after some 100,000 people were evacuated from central Albay province, and the stock exchange and US embassy were shut in Manila. Nesat made landfall just before dawn on the Pacific coast and was surging toward major population centers, reports the BBC.

At least 12 people have died, reports the AP, mainly in metropolitan Manila. A one-year-old who fell into a swollen river drowned, and a mother and child were killed when a tree crashed into their house. Four fishermen were missing, though more than 50 others were rescued after their boats overturned in choppy waters. Roads were washed out, flights canceled, schools shut, and power cut. "The damage is expected to be big," warned a Red Cross spokesman. The storm is expected to head toward southern China by Thursday. (More Manila stories.)