More than 40 feared dead or missing in Philippines typhoon
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Philippine National Police clear a highway of toppled coconut trees after Typhoon Bopha made a landfall in Compostela Valley in south-eastern Philippines on Tuesday Dec 4, 2012. A Philippine governor says at least 33 villagers and soldiers have drowned when torrents of water dumped by the powerful typhoon rushed down a mountain, engulfing the victims and bringing the death toll from the storm to about 40. -- PHOTO: AP
MANILA (REUTERS) - The strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year pounded the southern island of Mindanao on Tuesday and about 40 people were dead or missing, media said, after the storm destroyed homes and brought down power and communication lines.
Typhoon Bopha, with wind gusts of up to 195 kph, made landfall at dawn, uprooting trees and tearing off roofs.
About 40 people were killed or missing in flash floods and landslides near a mining area on Mindanao, ABS-CBN television reported, saying waters and soil had swept through an army post.
A television reporter said she saw numerous bodies lined up near the army base. A military spokesman earlier said about 20 people, including six soldiers, were missing.
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