Typhoon Nina leaves 8 dead, 15 missing
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/24/2008 7:22 AM
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | 
Share your views
Eight people were dead and 15 others went missing as typhoon Nina (international codename Hagupit) left the Philippines Tuesday, the government's disaster coordinating agency reported.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council's (NDCC) late Tuesday report said the eight fatalities died in landslides, of drowning and electrocution.
The fatalities were identified as Lolita Baroma, Julian Baroma, Leilani Fetcha, Rodolfo Villanueva, Censio Culapit, Elimar Alejo Balensia, Clarita Viaje and a certain Mac-Mac.
A total of 14 miners remained trapped at a mine site in Itogon town in Benguet province. One more missing person identified as Nilia Alejo, 58, of Barangay Bugnay, Valderama, Antique was also reported missing.
A searh and rescue team formed by Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan were still searching for the 14 miners named in the NDCC report as Gilbert Nattem Banaue, Garry Ganu, Rudy Boling Jr., Joel Bulga Aglipay, Jeyson Himmayod, Rudy Himmayod, Jojo Himmayod, Juan Himmayod, Marvin Himmayod, Vincent Himmayod, Joseph Anayasan, Mario Annayasan, Gerry Monyobda, and Robert Buway.
The miners were last reported 700 feet below ground. The governor said the rescuers have not seen signs of life.
Mud washed down by typhoon-induced rain had blocked the entrance of the tunnel, preventing rescuers from reaching the miners, authorities said. Rescuers pumped water out of the tunnel so the mud can be cleared out.
The typhoon left the Philippines area of responsibility Tuesday and was forecast to move to Hongkong on Wednesday morning.
