Typhoon strikes Philippines

Typhoon Chanchu is heading towards southern China having battered central and north-western Philippines, it has been reported.

At least 37 people have been killed by the tropical storms, mostly after a boat capsized off Masbate, which is south of the main island, Luzon.

Evacuees have begun to return to their damaged homes, with only 435 families remaining in evacuation centres, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council.

"With the weather that we have now, they would start going back to their homes except for those who have lost their houses and have no relatives to turn to," commented Nerti Amparo, chief of operations at the disaster council, on local television.

Gusts of up to 150 km per hour have affected around 53,300 people, with damage to infrastructure estimated at 27 million pesos.