23 missing after Typhoon Utor hits Philippines

A powerful typhoon battered the Philippines today, toppling power lines and dumping heavy rains across mountains and cities, and leaving at least 23 fishermen missing.

Typhoon Utor, described as the strongest typhoon globally so far this year, slammed ashore in mountainous eastern Aurora province with sustained winds of 160 km/h and gusts of up to 220 km/h.

About 1,000 residents in the central Bicol region spent the night in shelters while Aurora province was without power, the national disaster agency said.

Radio stations reported roofs were blown off and a covered basketball court washed away in Dinalungan town.

There was no immediate word on casualties, but 23 fishermen who were out at sea failed to return home in four towns in Catanduanes province, according to their families.

The authorities were hoping they just took shelter in coves and nearby islands, said Office of Civil Defence regional director Bernardo Alejandro.

“I hope they’re just waiting for the typhoon to pass and will show up as soon as the weather clears,” he said.

A higher number of missing had been reported over the weekend, but some fishermen since returned home.

More than 8,000 travellers were stranded as passenger and cargo ferries were grounded.

Classes in towns and cities on the typhoon's path were suspended, including in the capital Manila, and several domestic flights cancelled.

Utor is forecast to cut across the main northern island of Luzon today, move into the South China Sea tomorrow in the direction of Guangdong in China, and is expected to make landfall there on Wednesday.

Utor is the 12th of about 20 storms and typhoons expected to lash the Philippines this year.

AP