Philippine death toll from Christmas rains and floods rises to 13

Rescue workers helps a resident affected by floods, in Plaridel, Misamis Occidental Province, Philippines, December 26, 2022. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS

MANILA (Reuters) - The death toll from Christmas day rains in southern Philippines has risen to 13, authorities said on Tuesday, with the search still on for 23 people as floods started to recede.

Most of the deaths were caused by drowning from flash floods after two days of heavy rains disrupted Christmas celebrations and forced more than 45,000 people to take shelter in evacuation centres, the disaster agency said.