Philippines: Typhoon Goni leaves trail of destruction

Several were killed when houses were submerged under rocks and mud. Others are reported missing in flooded areas.

Thousands of people have been evacuated to higher ground and some domestic flights were cancelled.

At one point, Typhoon Goni was packing winds of winds of up to 195km/h (121mph).

However it weakened as it moved northward off Taiwan's east coast, AFP news agency said.

It is the ninth of an average of 20 that hit the Philippines each year, the country's weather bureau said.

Typhoon Goni brought heavy rains for three days, without making landfall in the Phillipines

In places roads were closed or became impassable

Already drenched mountains areas were battered by strong winds, becoming vulnerable to landslips and mudslides

Although most of the danger is thought to have passed, evacuation centres are still housing some 4,000 people

Taiwan was braced for the storm as it made its way towards southern Japan, where high wave and strong wind warnings have been issued.