Typhoon Kalamegi LIVE: At least 66 dead in Philippines after landslide in Vietnam

A Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed in the southern province of Agusan del Sur while en route to help provinces affected by Typhoon Kalamaegi, killing at least six people.

The Air Force confirmed this morning that the remains of six personnel have been recovered from the crash site. The identities of those killed are being kept secret until their families are informed.

The Super Huey helicopter was one of four helicopters sent to assess the storm’s impact as part of a humanitarian assistance and disaster response mission.

The plane reportedly suffered communications problems before falling in Agusan del Sur.

Filipino authorities have declared a state of calamity in the province of Cebu, where the highest number of deaths have been recorded due to Typhoon Kalamegi.

The bustling province of more than 2.4 million people declared a state of disaster to allow authorities to quickly distribute emergency funds to deal with the latest natural disaster.

Cebu was still recovering from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck on September 30, killing at least 79 people and displacing thousands, when homes collapsed or were seriously damaged.

Civil Protection Deputy Administrator Rafaelito Alejandro said in an interview with local radio outlet DZMM that 49 of the 66 deaths reported so far from Kalamegi have occurred in the province.

“It was the major cities that were affected (by the floods), the highly urbanized areas,” Mr. Alejandro said.

Typhoon Kalmegi has intensified slightly as it moves towards Vietnam, where preparations are underway ahead of a possible landfall on Friday morning.

Vietnam is battling record rainfall, which has caused massive flooding and killed at least 40 people.

The deaths were recorded in Hue, Da Nang, Lam Don and Quang Tri provinces, according to an update from the environment ministry’s disaster management agency, which said six people were missing.

Vietnam’s weather agency has warned that the storm could hit the country’s coast with winds of up to 166 km per hour.

“It’s tiring,” said Tran Thi Quy from Hoi An city. “We are tired of the floods, but what can we do,” the 57-year-old woman told AFP after her home was flooded three times in less than 10 days.

“We moved all our furniture to a higher location but they are still all wet.”

According to reports, Civil Defense Deputy Administrator Rafaelito Alejandro, in an interview with local radio outlet DZMM, said that there were 49 deaths due to the earthquake in Cebu.

“It was the major cities that were affected (with flood), highly urbanized area,” Mr. Alejandro said, confirming the death toll, according to Barrons.

Kalmegi was last seen in coastal waters off the western island province of Linapakan early Wednesday Palawan With sustained winds of 120 km per hour (75 mph) and gusts up to 150 km per hour (93 mph). It was forecast to blow into the South China Sea later on Wednesday.