Lack of fuel hampers retrieval ops in Iloilo town

Retrieval operations in Estancia town in Iloilo province were hampered after fuel being used by rescue teams had run out, a television report said Thursday.  

The rescue teams have been hauling remains of super typhoon Yolanda's victims to and from other islands near Estancia, according to a report by Steve Dailisan on GMA News' Unang Balita. 

 

So far, 80 bodies have been retrieved, of which 20 are from Estancia with the rest recovered in the town's vicinity. 

 

The same television report said many of the remains were thought to be those of fishermen from other parts of Iloilo who have sought shelter in nearby Estancia after Yolanda struck the Visayas on November 8.

 

The recovered remains have since been buried in mass graves since the bodies were already decomposing, the report added.

 

Still, retrieval operations continue to search for remains on the island along with the mixed debris from torn houses, trees and other structures.

 

Meanwhile, survivors in Estancia failed to contact their relatives due to downed lines of communication.

 

Some of the residents are already complaining of starvation since they claim they haven't received any relief goods.

 

On the other hand, the local government of Estancia is asking for patience as they can't get help to everyone yet due to the sheer amount of people they have to provide for.

 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's latest data numbered the dead at 2,357 as of early Thursday. There were also 3,853 injured while 77 are still missing.

 

Yolanda is the second cyclone of super typhoon category to hit the Philippines this year. It is also the world's strongest typhoon of 2013 and is ranked fourth in the world's list of strongest typhoons. — with Andrei Medina/RSJ/KG, GMA News