Typhoon Durian Kills 146 in Eastern Philippines

台风“榴莲”在菲律宾东部造成146人丧生

Officials in the Philippines say landslides and heavy rains triggered by a powerful typhoon have killed at least 146 people, with the death toll expected to rise. A large number of people died in villages near Mount Mayon volcano in Albay province after a mudslide covered the area. Mount Mayon is some 350 kilometers southeast of the capital, Manila. Authorities say they fear the death toll in the area may rise. President Gloria Arroyo has ordered the military to help with relief efforts.

Typhoon Durian lashed the island of Catanduanes Thursday with winds of up to 190 kilometers an hour. The typhoon has since weakened and is moving near Mindoro island, south of Manila, with winds of 150 kilometers per hour.

菲律宾官员说，强台风引发的塌方和大雨造成至少146人死亡，死亡人数还可能上升。在阿尔拜省，马荣火山附近的村庄受泥石流冲击，大量村民死亡。马荣火山位于首都马尼拉东南大约350公里处。有关当局说，他们担心该地区的死亡人数可能会上升。菲律宾总统阿罗约命令军方协助救援。

台风“榴莲”星期四横扫了卡坦瑞内斯岛，风力高达每小时190公里。台风随后势力减弱，向马尼拉以南的民多洛岛附近方向移动，风力为每小时150公里。