At least 10 Filipinos have died, 15 others are missing and thousands have been affected as tropical storm "Dante" began wrecking havoc in Southern Luzon, the government said on Sunday, according to Xinhua.
Eight out of the ten fatalities have been identified, the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council said in a statement.
Glenn Rabonza, executive officer of the disaster-relief agency, said that 15 residents were reported missing after landslides hit a Hubo village in Magallanes, Sorsogon province.
As of Sunday, Rabonza said 2,582 families or 13,244 people have been affected by the weather disturbance. Of the number, 2,082 families or 10,744 are from the Bicol region, southeastern part of the Luzon island.
Besides, Philippine Coast Guard commander Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said about 6,834 passengers have been stranded, mostly in the ports in the Bicol region, as the authorities temporarily suspended the travel of passenger ships.
"We have Coast Guard personnel attending to their needs, safety, security in coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority, shipping companies and local government units," Tamayo said.