At least 10,000 people are thought to have been killed in the Philippine city of Tacloban by Typhoon Haiyan, officials believe. A further 300 are confirmed dead with 2,000 missing in the neighbouring island of Samar. Up to 4.3 million people are said to have been directly affected by the typhoon's path and the death toll is expected to rise further as rescuers reach cut-off areas. If the death toll estimate by government officials is confirmed, it would be the deadliest natural catastrophe on record in the Philippines. Up to 70-80% of homes have been destroyed in Tacloban and other areas in the typhoon's path, according to Justin Morgan of Oxfam. Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas said: "From a helicopter, you can see the extent of devastation. From the shore and moving a kilometre inland, there are no structures standing. It was like a tsunami. "I don't know how to describe what I saw. It's horrific." Most of the dead are understood to have drowned or were crushed by collapsed buildings. Many corpses hung on tree branches, buildings and in the roads. "On the way to the airport we saw many bodies along the street," said Philippine-born Australian Mila Ward, 53, who was waiting at the Tacloban airport to catch a military flight back to Manila. "They were covered with just anything - tarpaulin, roofing sheets, cardboards," she said. Asked how many, she said, "Well over 100 where we passed." But the destruction extended well beyond Tacloban, a city of 200,000. Officials are yet to make contact with Guiuan, a town of 40,000 that was first hit by the typhoon. Baco, a city of 35,000 people in Oriental Mindoro province, was 80% under water, the UN said. The Philippines has limited resources on its own to deal with a disaster of this magnitude, say experts. US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed the military's Pacific Command to deploy ships and aircraft to support search-and-rescue operations and airlift emergency supplies. But the command is headquartered in Hawaii, with one carrier group currently in port in Hong Kong, so it is thought it will be some days before it reaches the affected area. The European Commission has released 3m euros ($4m; £2.5m) in emergency funds and is sending a team of humanitarian experts. The UK is providing £6m in emergency humanitarian aid. A team of four experts has already been sent to the country. Prime Minister David Cameron telephoned Philippine president Benigno Aquino III to offer the UK's full support and thoughts. Haiyan was one of the strongest tropical storms ever to have made landfall, lashing the Philippines with wind gusts of 170mph (275kph) and whipping up a storm surge which swallowed coastal towns and villages. Although the storm weakened to a category one hurricane when it hit northern Vietnam, with 75mph (120kmph) winds, there are fears that many other people could be affected. Nearly a million people were evacuated from central provinces before the path of Haiyan turned further north. Valley relief effort for typhoon Haiyan World sends relief to battered Philippines... Haiyan relief: Where to donate Devastating storm kills at least 10000 Australia pledges $10m in aid for the Philippines in wake of Typhoon Haiyan Typhoon Haiyan makes landfall in Vietnam Philippine typhoon deaths climb into thousands Typhoon Haiyan strikes Philippines AP News in Brief at 10:58 p.m. EST Typhoon survivors in Philippines struggle for aid Disaster's wake: Typhoon deaths climb into thousands in Philippines Super typhoon Haiyan kills over 10000 in Philippines destruction Philippine Officials Estimate at Least 10000 Killed by Super Typhoon Haiyan Typhoon Survivors Hunt For Food 'Like Zombies' Survivors of Haiyan raid shops for food Australia gives A$10m to typhoon-hit Philippines US marines in typhoon-hit Philippines for disaster relief Typhoon Haiyan won't keep us Filipinos down for long South Australia's Filipino community turns to Facebook after devastating typhoon ... AP News in Brief at 10:58 p.m. EST Super typhoon Haiyan kills over 10000 in Philippines destruction Philippine typhoon: 10000 feared dead 10000 believed killed by Philippines typhoon South Australia's Filipino community turns to Facebook after devastating typhoon ... Rescuers Race to Philippines as Typhoon Death Toll Climbs Philippines, Philippines Typhoon, Haiyan, Philippine Typhoon, Philippines Typhoon Death Toll, Super Typhoon Haiyan, Typhoon, Typhoon Haiyan, World News Typhoon Haiyan,Super Typhoon Haiyan,Philippine city,Tacloban,Tacloban city,Typhoon Haiyan strikes Philippines,Typhoon kills,Haiyan death toll,Thousands feared dead in Philippines,Philippines fears massive death toll,Devastating storm kills,Philippine typhoon deaths,Disaster wake,Philippines, Philippines Typhoon, Haiyan, Philippine Typhoon, Philippines Typhoon Death Toll, Super Typhoon Haiyan, Typhoon, Typhoon Haiyan, World News,UK NEWS, UK News

• published: 11 Nov 2013
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