1st LD Writethru: 26 killed, 46 missing in tropical storm in Philippines

MANILA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- A tropical storm which battered the Philippines on Saturday has left at least 26 people dead and 46 others missing, a government spokesperson said on Monday.

Romina Marasigan of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) said in a news conference that most of the people died in at least 17 landslides that hit four provinces in the central Philippines, namely Biliran, Leyte, Eastern Samar and Samar, triggered by tropical storm Kai-Tak.

"The causes of deaths were mostly from landslides and drowning," she said, adding that some of the missing people were from Romblon, a province which is also in the central Philippines.

Heavy rain triggered floods and landslides in many areas in the central Philippines when the tropical storm battered the Philippines on Saturday, according to NDRRMC.

At least 1,200 tourists were also stuck in Boracay Island, the famous island beach resort, which was also flooded.

Councilor Nanette Aguirre-Graf of Malay town said the Philippine coast guards suspended the ferry travels when the storm signal was raised in the region.

The Malay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that 90 percent of Boracay Island has been hit by floodwaters.

Many flights and ferry travels were cancelled as a result of the tropical storm. Enditem