Typhoon death toll in Philippines reaches 208 with dozens still missing

A typhoon in the Philippines has killed at least 208 people, while another 52 are still missing, the national police spokesman said Monday, according to Reuters.  

The typhoon, known as Rai, hit the southeastern coast of the Philippines on Thursday. With winds above 120 miles per hour and wind gusts up to 168 miles per hour, it was the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, according to The Associated Press.

Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap said 72 people had died in his province in the central Philippines, adding that 10 other people were missing and 13 were injured. He anticipated that the death toll could be even higher than reported, as only 33 of 48 mayors were able to report fatalities due to communications systems being down, according to the AP. 

“It is very clear that the damage sustained by Bohol is great and all-encompassing,” Yap said after taking part in a military aerial survey of the towns impacted by the typhoon, the AP reported.

Yap also told the mayors to make use of their emergency powers to ensure access to food packs and water.

At least 64 people were killed elsewhere in the country, many of whom were hit by falling trees, drowned in flash floods or were buried in landslides, the AP reported Sunday. 

On Saturday, President Rodrigo Duterte traveled to the region and promised the equivalent of $40 million in aid, per the AP.

“The moment I was born into this world, I told my mother, `Let’s not stay here because this place is really prone to typhoons,’” said Duterte, who was born in Southern Leyte province before his family moved to the southern city of Davao, the AP added.

Updated at 9:58 p.m.