Typhoon Tino claims 85 lives as death toll rises in Cebu, nearby areas

The number of reported fatalities due to Typhoon Tino has reached 85, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Wednesday evening. 

Latest figures by the OCD showed that 49 of the reported deaths were logged in Cebu; two in Leyte; one each in Bohol and Capiz; and four in Negros Island Region.

The primary causes of death in these areas are fallen debris and trees, landslides, and flooding. 

“Forty-nine deaths were reported in Cebu due to fallen debris, landslides, and flooding. One dead each was recorded in Bohol, Capiz, and Leyte, all caused by fallen trees. Another dead in Leyte was due to flooding,” the OCD said. “In NIR, one person died from fallen debris and three from drowning.” 

There were 28 other deaths reported, but the causes are still being determined, the OCD said. 

While not part of the 85 reported fatalities, the OCD also acknowledged the six deaths in Agusan del Sur, who are all Philippine Air Force airmen, who died in a helicopter crash on Tuesday while conducting humanitarian operations. 

In Cebu, deaths were reported in various towns and municipalities despite coming in second behind Bulacan in terms of number of flood control projects. 

Meanwhile, floods in Negros Occidental left several dead and a number of persons missing. 

Further, the OCD reported 13 missing persons in Cebu and 62 missing in Nergos Occidental and Oriental, with causes still to be determined, bringing the total to 75. 

The OCD also reported 17 injured individuals due to the onslaught of Typhoon Tino. 

Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that 345,278 families or 1,200,647 individuals in seven regions were affected by the typhoon. 

The NDRRMC also said that 508,994 persons were displaced with most of them temporarily seeking shelter in over 4,000 evacuation centers. 

Further, 101 homes were partially damaged while 10 others were totally damaged. 

Signal No. 2 is hoisted over the Kalayaan Islands as Typhoon Tino further intensifies and moves over the West Philippine Sea, according to the 5 p.m. weather bulletin of PAGASA. 

The state weather bureau said the typhoon will continue moving west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. —NB/RF, GMA Integrated News