81 deaths, 34 missing reported in Philippines amid Trami onslaught

The Office of Civil Defence (OCD) of the Philippines has reported 81 fatalities amid the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (known internationally as Trami) that tore through several parts of the country this week, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported today. At the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, OCD administrator Under-Secretary Ariel Nepomuceno said this number is still, "subject to validation" to determine if the deaths were directly related to the storm. "The 81 reported casualties are from the regional offices of the Office of Civil Defence. These will still be verified by the Philippine National Police (PNP), who will submit it to the Department of the Interior and Local Government," he said. Meanwhile, the number of missing persons rose to 34, most of whom are believed to have been trapped due to landslides. Source: Emirates News Agency