PressTV - Typhoon Haiyan claims 1,200 lives across Philippines: Red Cross

10.11.13

PressTV - Typhoon Haiyan claims 1,200 lives across Philippines: Red Cross: Sources say the death toll is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers reach remote areas cut off by the fast-moving storm.

Over a million people in the Philippines have been forced to flee their homes and take refuge in safe areas.

This comes after super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, pounded the eastern island of Samar early Friday morning before barreling into five other islands.

Media reports say among the worst affected areas were the eastern island of Leyte and the coastal city of Tacloban, which has seen buildings flattened and trees uprooted. Haiyan also trampled houses, triggered landslides and floods and cut off power and communications in a number of islands.

It is now expected to make landfall in central Vietnam early Sunday. Also on its way, the super storm is expected to seriously influence China's southern coastal areas.