Death toll in Philippine floods climbs to 60

The death toll in floods caused by days of heavy monsoon rains in the Philippine capital and northern provinces has climbed to 60 with seven people missing, the national disaster response agency said Friday. Forty-three of the victims drowned in flooding or swollen rivers while 11 were killed in landslides, four died of electrocution and two of heart attacks, the Office of Civil Defence said. Most of the missing were swept away by strong currents while attempting to cross swollen rivers. Fourteen people were injured in the flooding, which began Tuesday, according to reports from the agency and police. More than half a million people were displaced by the deluge with 362,307 staying in cramped evacuation centres and 284,177 taking shelter with relatives and friends, the Office of Civil Defence said.