Up to 200 feared dead in landslides

Rescuers battled rain, mud and floodwaters today to search for more than 100 people believed buried under tons of earth and debris and feared dead after landslides and huge waves devastated eastern Philippine villages, officials said.

Rescuers battled rain, mud and floodwaters today in search of survivors and the dead after landslides and huge waves devastated eastern Philippine villages in a pre-Christmas tragedy that officials fear may have killed up to 200 people.

Defence Secretary Eduardo Ermita said at least 77 people were killed, including 61 in the hard-hit central province of Southern Leyte, and 123 others were missing.