Philippines death toll hits 375
The death toll from the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year surged to 375 yesterday, as survivors pleaded for urgent supplies of drinking water, food and medicines.
The Philippine Red Cross reported "complete carnage" in coastal areas after Typhoon Rai left homes and schools "ripped to shreds".
The storm tore off roofs, uprooted trees, toppled concrete power poles, smashed wooden houses to pieces, wiped out crops and flooded villages -- sparking comparisons to the damage caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
"Our situation is so desperate," said Ferry Asuncion, a street vendor in the hard-hit seaside city of Surigao, which was devastated by the storm.
More than 380,000 people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as Rai slammed into the country on Thursday.
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