Typhoon Kalmaegi Causes Heavy Death Toll in the Philippines
Philippine officials reported that Typhoon Kalmaegi has claimed at least 114 lives due to widespread flooding and destruction in the central region. Additionally, 127 people remain missing, many from a province still recovering from a recent deadly earthquake.
Impact on Cebu Province
The central province of Cebu suffered the most casualties after being hit hard by Kalmaegi on Tuesday. Flash floods triggered by the storm caused rivers and waterways to overflow, worsening the situation.
Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, confirmed the severity of the flooding and damage in Cebu.
Storm Path and Consequences
After hitting western Palawan province, Kalmaegi moved into the South China Sea by Wednesday noon and was heading toward Vietnam, according to meteorological forecasters.
Helicopter Crash Tragedy
Among the fatalities were six individuals killed in a Philippine Air Force helicopter crash in the southern province of Agusan del Sur on Tuesday. The helicopter was en route to deliver humanitarian aid to areas affected by Kalmaegi, the military reported, without specifying the cause of the crash.
"Most of the deaths were reported in the central province of Cebu, which was pummeled by Kalmaegi on Tuesday, setting off flash floods and causing a river and other waterways to overflow." — Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, Office of Civil Defense
Summary: Typhoon Kalmaegi has caused severe flooding and destruction in the Philippines, resulting in at least 114 deaths and dozens missing, with the hardest hit areas still recovering from a previous earthquake.