Typhoon Phanfone: Deadly Christmas storm kills 16 in the Philippines – including a child

The horrific cyclone has caused widespread damage to homes and has massively impacted transport.

Flights have been cancelled with more than 15,000 people also left stranded at ports where ferries were suspended.

The deaths took place in the provinces of Cadiz, Iloilo and Leyte.

A 13-year-old boy was electrocuted, a man was killed by a tree branch and another was killed in a car accident.

The death toll is still expected to rise as the internet and mobile phone networks are still cut off in some areas.

The typhoon left the Philippines last night and is moving west along the South China Sea.

The country has 20 typhoons every year.

However, the storms have become stronger in recent years.

More than 6,000 people died when Typhoon Haiyan hit the country in 2013.

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A statement carried on the Philippines’ weather bureau, Pagasa said earlier this week: “The eyewall of Typhoon ‘URSULA’ is bringing very destructive winds and intense rainfall over Caluya Islands.

“The southern portion of Mindoro Provinces will be affected by the eyewall in the coming hours.

“In case of the passage of the eye in some of the aforementioned areas, calm conditions will be experienced.

“However, as soon as the eye moves out of the area, violent conditions associated with the eyewall will resume.”

source: express.co.uk