The death toll from the tropical storm that struck the southern Philippines has risen to 133, officials said on December 23. / AFP PHOTO / MANMAN DEJETO
The death toll from the tropical storm that struck the southern Philippines has risen to 30 with five others missing, officials said on December 23. / AFP PHOTO / MANMAN DEJETO
(Eagle News) — Government and other rescue workers, including those from the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s SCAN International, joined together to help thousands of people affected by severe tropical storm Vinta (international name Tembin) which had killed more than a hundred people, with others still declared missing.
As of Saturday, December 23, the latest death tool reached 133 in southern Philippines, as rescuers pulled dozens of bodies from a swollen river, police said.
The rescuers evacuated early Saturday flood-affected residents in Davao which was hit by floods and rains dumped by tropical storm Vinta.
Tropical Storm Vinta has lashed the nation’s second largest island of Mindanao since Friday, triggering flash floods and mudslides.
Rescuers retrieved 36 bodies from the Salog river in Mindanao on Saturday, as officials reported more fatalities in the impoverished Zamboanga peninsula.
The country’s weather bureau, PAGASA said that as of 3:00 PM Saturday, December 23, the center of Severe Tropical Storm “VINTA” was estimated based on all available data at 240 km South of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan(7.6N, 118.8E) with maximum sustained winds of 90 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 115 km/h.
It is forecast to move West at 22 km/h. The tail-End of a Cold Front affecting eastern section of Southern Luzon.
SCAN International, or the Society of Communicators and Networkers International, is an international group of volunteer rescue workers of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, which provides rescue services to communities not just in the Philippines, but in other countries as well, with their theme, “Saving Lives is Our Priority.” (See more at: https://incmedia.org/scan-international-saving-lives/)
SCAN International is also known for its various teams which provide emergency response to disasters and other calamities.
It was established by INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, who is its founding Chairman, to provide service to communities wherever in the world they may be.
(Eagle News Service with Agence France Presse)