Survivors of a typhoon that slammed the central Philippines on Friday have become increasingly desperate, looting shops and aid convoys in search of food and water.
Authorities said they believe more than 10,000 people were killed on the central islands of Leyte and Samar, where Haiyan became one of the strongest cyclones on record to make landfall anywhere in the world. Many drowned when tsunami-like waves swept through island communities.
After going without food for three days, some residents of Leyte’s capital, Tacloban, resorted to ransacking the remains of stores and homes in the devastated city of 200,000 people. Looters also raided delivery vans carrying humanitarian aid. But, other residents lined up peacefully as Philippine soldiers handed out supplies.
Corpses were scattered through debris filled streets and authorities struggled to retrieve them.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino flew into Tacloban on Sunday. He said his government’s priority is to deliver relief and medical assistance to survivors, and restore power and communications in isolated areas.
Officials on Samar island said at least 300 people were confirmed dead, with another 2,000 missing.
