Death toll climbs in Philippines typhoon

NEW BATAAN, Philippines -- Stunned parents searching for missing children examined a row of mud-stained bodies covered with banana leaves while survivors dried their soaked belongings on roadsides yesterday, a day after a powerful typhoon killed at least 325 people in the southern Philippines.

More bodies were feared as rescuers reach hard-hit areas isolated by landslides, floods and downed communications.

At least 151 people died in the worst-hit province of Compostela Valley when Typhoon Bopha lashed the region Tuesday, including 78 villagers and soldiers who perished in a flash flood, provincial spokeswoman Fe Maestre said.

Disaster-response agencies reported 284 dead in the region and 14 fatalities elsewhere from the typhoon.

About 80 people survived the deluge in New Bataan with injuries, and 379 others remained missing. -- AP