Typhoon death toll stands at 77

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The death toll of typhoon Rammasun (local name Glenda) in the Philippines soared to 77 today, the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

The state disaster relief agency accounted 23 more deaths since Friday afternoon, bringing the official death toll to 77.

Among the newly-retrieved bodies, 18 were from the worst-hit provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon in southern Luzon region.  

Meanwhile, the number of the injured climbed to 220, and the number of missing stood at five.

About 1.6 million people have been affected, of whom 518,764 are housed inside 1,264 evacuation centers.

Typhoon Rammasun, which made landfall in eastern province of Albay on Tuesday night with gustiness of up to 170 kph, was the strongest typhoon to hit the country so far this year.