'State of calamity' as typhoon threatens Vietnam

Vietnam began evacuating more than 180,000 people from its central coast as powerful Typhoon Xangsane approached from the Philippines, where it left at least 63 people dead and about 70 missing, officials said today.

“The evacuation, the biggest ever in central Vietnam, must be completed before 5pm Saturday,” said Van Phu Chinh, head of the regional Flood and Storm Control Department in Danang.