164 reported dead, 176 missing after 'Vinta' hits Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — At least 160 people were reported dead while some remain missing after Tropical Storm Vinta battered Mindanao over the weekend and unleashed landslides and flash floods, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported Tuesday.

In its situation report as of 8 a.m., the NDRRMC said a total of 164 persons were reported killed. Of that figure, 65 were from Region 9, 75 were from Region 10, and 24 were from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the number of unaccounted persons had reached 176 — six of whom were already identified by family members, the NDRRMC also said.

The names of the six people “confirmed” missing were Jino Agapay Lacaza, Elizabeth Alferez, Nelgine Alferez, Jonjie Duriaz, Cornelio Alferez and Benjo Apigo.

According to the NDRRMC, “validation and verification” of reported casualties and missing individuals are ongoing. The agency earlier warned of double counting amid the confusion in the storm's aftermath.

This was after initial reports from officials in different provinces placed the overall death toll at more than 230.

Tropical Storm Vinta (international name: Tembin), which lashed the nation's second-largest island of Mindanao, had displaced a total of 118,596 families.

"Vinta" was among a series of disasters to hit the Philippines at the peak of Christmas preparations.

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In Regions 9 and CARAGA alone, "Vinta’s" onslaught had caused a total of P52,086,275 worth of damage to agriculture.

Meanwhile, a total of P167,710,000 worth of damage to infrastructure was incurred in Regions 9 and 10.

As the country reels from the death and devastation wrought by a slew of natural disasters in recent days, the United Nations expressed its sympathies with the Philippines and expressed readiness to provide support to local emergency operations.

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