Cotabato/PhilippineFloods and landslides triggered by overnight rains in a southern Philippine province have killed at least 31 people, and nine are still missing, while some are trapped in their homes. Officials gave this information on Friday.
Naguib Sinarimbo, the interior minister of five Muslim autonomous provinces administered by former guerrilla militias, said three cities in Maguindanao province were the most affected by the natural disaster, with most deaths due to flooding or being buried under rubble.
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“It had been torrential rains throughout the night, with debris and water flowing through the mountains into the rivers, causing the floods,” Sinarimbo told the Associated Press by telephone. “I am hoping that the casualties will not increase but there are still some areas where we have not been able to reach,” he said.
He said the pace of rain has slowed down since Friday morning, causing flood waters to recede in many cities. Sinarimbo said that according to information received from the mayor, governor and disaster management officials, 26 people have died in the neighboring coastal cities of Datu Odin Sinsuat and Datu Blah Sinsuat, while five people have died in the city of Upi.