Death toll in Philippine typhoon rises to 21

KUALA LUMPUR

At least 21 people have been killed after a powerful typhoon struck parts of the Philippines, the state-run disaster management agency said Thursday.

Five fishermen are reportedly missing, according to the agency.

Typhoon Phanfone, locally known as Ursula, was last spotted crossing central Panay Island, maintaining maximum sustained winds of 190 kilometers (118 miles) per hour, the agency said.

It affected Capiz, Iloilo and Leyte provinces, blowing off the roofs of many houses and knocking down trees and power poles.

So far, at least 10,000 people have been evacuated to safe areas, the agency added.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur and Zehra Nur Duz