200 feared dead in Philippine landslides

Rescuers battled rain, mud and floodwaters today in search of survivors after landslides and huge waves devastated eastern Philippine villages leaving up to 200 people dead.

Melchor Rosales, executive director of the National Disaster Coordination Centre, said the death toll has risen to at least 83 people, including 61 in the hard-hit central province of Southern Leyte, and 123 others were still missing.