Philippines’ killer Typhoon Rai leaves 5 million without power
- At least 24 people have been killed in the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year
- More than 5 million people sought emergency shelter as the typhoon charged across the Pacific Ocean and smashed into the country
The death toll from Typhoon Rai has risen to 24, while about five million people are without electricity.
Twelve of the victims, including a South Korean national, were from the central province of Cebu, police and local officials said.
The other fatalities were from the nearby province of Negros Occidental, the central city of Iloilo, Siargao Island and three provinces in the southern region of Mindanao.
Electricity was cut off in 13 central and southern provinces, affecting about five million people, according to the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association.
The strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year uprooted trees, toppled power lines and flooded villages as it barrelled across the archipelago on Friday, leaving at least 24 people dead.
More than five million people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as Typhoon Rai pummelled the southern and central regions of the country, knocking out communications in some areas and tearing roofs off buildings.