Death toll from Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam mounts, dozens still missing

The death toll from Typhoon Yagi rose to 127 in northern Vietnam after heavy rains triggered landslides and flooding, state media has reported.

A total of 127 people have been confirmed dead, and 54 others went missing due to the most powerful tropical storm of the year, Vietnam News reported on Tuesday, citing the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry.

Some 764 people were also injured due to the typhoon and flooding.

The typhoon hit the northern Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Phu Tho provinces.

The mountainous region of Cao Bang reported the most fatalities and missing, totaling 19 dead and 36 still unlocated.

Among the casualties, at least 12 people died due to the storm, 72 from landslides and flash floods, six from floodwaters, and eight from the collapse of the Phong Chau Bridge in Phu Thọ on Monday.

The storm also led 85 boats to sink in Quang Ninh, damaging thousands of hectares of rice, crops, and fruit trees.

The flood also swept away 1,582 fish farming cages and killed 1,174 heads of livestock.

Thousands evacuated

The heavy rain has continued in different areas since early on Tuesday, according to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting.

The Vietnamese government has deployed thousands of military personnel to carry out relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.

More than 50,000 people from coastal cities have been evacuated due to the typhoon.

Typhoon Yagi, which struck the northern regions of the Philippines on Sept. 3, caused severe rain, flooding, and landslides, resulting in 20 deaths and 26 missing.

The typhoon, which hit China’s Hainan province on Sept. 7, led to the deaths of four people and injuries to 95 others.