Ten dead in flashfloods in Philippines

At least 10 people have been confirmed dead and six are missing after flashfloods hit central Philippine islands, disaster relief agencies said on Wednesday.

The island of Samar and surrounding areas have been hit by days of heavy rain causing landslides and overflowing rivers, the civil defence office said.

Some 640 people have been evacuated to safety, the office said.

Ten people have been killed on Samar and the island of Leyte with a search underway for the missing six, the office and the local Red Cross reported.

Several roads in Samar have been left impassable due to the floods and landslides, the office said in a statement.

Relief goods have been transported to the affected areas and road clearing operations have begun, the statement added.