Typhoon Bopha: Philippines Storm Kills Over 280

More than 280 people have been killed by the latest typhoon to hit the Philippines, according to local officials who have warned more could die as rescuers reach outlying areas.

Typhoon Bopha hit Mindanao Island's east coast at dawn on Tuesday with winds of more than 130mph.

At least 66 of the victims were killed in New Bataan when torrents of water dumped by the typhoon on a nearby mountain flowed through the town's streets. A school and a village hall were both destroyed by the water.

In a separate incident, villagers and soldiers who formed part of the rescue effort all died when the truck they were in was washed away in the flooding.

Local governor Arturo Uy said the victims included children who had fled with their parents from their homes to a community centre which was swamped by a flash flood.

Nearby Davao Oriental Province was also badly affected with 51 people left dead and a further 98 missing.

The storm is one of the strongest to hit the country this year. Given that many of the buildings are basic and badly constructed, many of the deaths are the result of flooding and landslides triggered by the storm.

Last year, Typhoon Washi killed more than 1,500 people in the country's south. Entire villages were washed away and the death toll was compounded by the fact that the storm hit at night.

Bopha is now battering the western Palawan province popular with tourists.

It is likely to move out into the South China Sea - but forecasters predict more severe storms will hit the country before the end of the month.