At least 30 people killed in tropical storm in southern Philippines

MANILA, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 30 people have been killed when Tropical Storm Tembin dumped heavy rains as it swept through southern Philippines on Friday, an official from the country's disaster relief agency said on Saturday.

Superintendent Lemuel Gonda, spokesperson of Northern Mindanao regional police, said 19 of the fatalities were from Lanao del Norte which was heavily affected by the calamity. Three were reported dead in Bukidnon and one in Iligan.

In Lanao del Sur, seven people have been reportedly died in flash floods and landslides set off by the tropical storm and four others were reported missing.

Tropical storm Kai-Tak which barrelled into central Philippines last weekend killed at least 41 people.