1 killed, 38 missing as Typhoon Utor hits Philippines

At least one person died and 38 others were declared missing as typhoon Utor (local name Labuyo) hit northern part of the Philippines on Monday. The 22-year-old victim, named Joemar Salicon, died in a landslide in Benguet, a province in northern Luzon island. He was declared dead upon arrival at a local hospital, said National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Eduardo del Rosario. Meanwhile, 13 fishermen, seven from Camarines Norte province and six from Pangasinan province, were reported missing, said Cordillera Regional Police Spokesman Davy Vicente Lim-mong. Pangasinan provincial police spokesman Ryan Manongdo said 25 more fishermen, who aboard hree fishing boats, were missing in Infanta town. They failed to return home after going on fishing. After Typhoon Utor made a landfall in Aurora province early Monday morning, it weakened its strength and left the country in the afternoon, according to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). At least 244 families with 1,003 persons from Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog have been affected by the typhoon. They are staying at evacuation centers, said del Rosario. About 8,927 passengers have been stranded in various ports in Bicol and Visayas areas as the authorities suspended sea travel due to the typhoon.