More than 1 million people have been evacuated from their homes in the Philippines and at least two people have been killed as Typhoon Fung-wong – the second big storm to hit in days – made landfall on the east coast.
The super-typhoon crossed over the north of the archipelago’s most populous island, Luzon, with torrential rain, sustained winds of 115mph (185km/h) and gusts of up to 140mph (225km/h).
It comes days after Typhoon Kalmaegi hit the country, killing at least 224 people and leaving another 135 missing. Searches for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
At least two deaths from Typhoon Fung-wong were recorded before landfall on Sunday. The civil defence office reported that one person drowned in Catanduanes and a woman was trapped by a collapsed home in Catbalogan City. Juniel Tagarino, a rescuer in Catbalogan City, said the body of the 64-year-old woman, who had been trying to leave, had been pulled from under debris and fallen trees.
“The wind was so strong and the rain was heavy … According to her family members, she might have forgotten something and went back inside her house,” Tagarino said.
