Typhoon Haiyan: Four million affected, 10,000 feared dead

One of the worst storms on record has battered the Philippines over the weekend leaving thousands of people dead.

12:52 11 November 2013

No amount of preparation could have spared the people in the Philippines as Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons on record, battered the country over the weekend with winds up of up to 195mph. 

 

Four million people are affected and officials fear that the death toll could rise up to 10,000.

 

After the storm, hundreds of people were seen walking the streets ‘like zombies’, while several buildings and houses were totally destroyed. Hundreds of dead bodies were seen hanging from trees. As of last reports, there is still no clean water and electricity in affected areas particularly in Tacloban. There is also very little food for survivors. 

 

One high school teacher in Tacloban said that looting was widespread and that people were losing their minds over hunger and the pain of losing their families. Some people are apparently becoming violent. 

 

"They are looting business establishments, the malls, just to find food, rice and milk... I am afraid that in one week, people will be killing from hunger," he said.

 

Jenny Chu, a medical student in Leyte, told Reuters: "Everything is gone. Our house is like a skeleton and we are running out of food and water. We are looking for food everywhere. People are walking like zombies looking for food. It's like a movie."

 

Samar Island, which is very close to Tacloban, was also badly affected. Based on reports, 2,000 people are missing and 300 others died.