Tornado hits North Cotabato villages; 7 hurt

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Seven persons were injured while 152 houses were destroyed when a tornado struck several villages in Pikit, North Cotabato on Thursday.

The twister first swept through rice fields in Barangays Manaulanan, Punol and Pamalian before hitting the residential communities.

Barangay officials said the tornado also destroyed a structure for farm animals before it dissipated near a swampy area.

Municipal social welfare officer Tahira Kalantungan said the injured victims were hit by debris from houses blown away by the twister. They were rushed to a local hospital for treatment.

Reports reaching the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) in Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat town said the tornado also destroyed a mosque and a school building.

Soldiers of the 6th ID have been ordered to help the Pikit municipal government evacuate the displaced villagers.