Typhoon Utor leaves 23 fishermen missing in Philippines

Typhoon Utor, which officials said left 23 fishermen missing, lumbered across the Philippines Monday. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the eye of the typhoon, called Labuyo locally, was centered near Baguio City about 10 a.m. local time, the Philippine Star reported. The storm was producing maximum sustained winds of about 87 miles per hour with gusts up to 105 mph and heavy rains as it moved to the west-northwest at about 12 mph. The Philippine news website InterAksyon.com reported nine of 33 fishermen initially reported missing off Cantanduanes had yet to be found. Eduardo del Rosario, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said 14 other fishermen were missing in Camarines Norte. Efforts were under way to organize search-and-rescue operations, he said. Flash floods, landslide and storm surges were possible, forecasters said.