President sends sympathy to Philippine counterpart over typhoon damage
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent a message of sympathy to President of the Philippines Rodrigo Roa Duterte on December 20 over severe human and material loss caused by super typhoon Rai.
The same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also conveyed sympathy to Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Teodoro Lopez Locsin.
Super typhoon Rai smashed into the Philippines on December 16 packing wind speeds of 195 kilometres per hour. The death toll from the typhoon in the Philippines has climbed to 208, making it one of the most destructive storms hitting the country in recent years. Local police said that at least 239 others are injured, while 52 remain missing after the storm ravaged the southern and central regions of the country.
The Philippine Government reported that the storm has affected about 780,000 people, including more than 300,000 people and tourists having to flee from their homes and beachfront resorts.
The storm disrupted communication and power supply networks in at least 227 cities.
