Philippines typhoon death toll tops 600

In the Philippines where the death toll from Typhoon Washi is now more than 600, rescue workers are concentrating their efforts on reuniting survivors with other family members.

Some 35,000 people are currently in emergency shelters.

Mindanao was the worst hit island. Vast areas were turned into muddy wastelands as flash floods cascaded down mountain slopes on Friday night.

With the storm now passed, some have returned to their devastated homes. But entire houses have been swept away and with them, says the Red Cross, possibly hundreds more victims.

The Philippines government has mobilised 20,000 soldiers to help in the clear up, and to restore electricity and drinking water to the stricken areas.

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