Power cuts hit eastern Philippines as typhoon strikes

A man is helped to safety in Leyte province (Philippine Coast Guard/AP)

A strong typhoon has slammed into the eastern Philippines, bringing high winds that caused power outages in several provinces.

Typhoon Conson carried sustained winds of 74mph with gusts of up to 93mph, first making landfall at the coastal town of Hernani in Eastern Samar province before hitting nearby Samar province, the state weather service said.