Philippines Tropical Storm Tembin leaves more than 100 dead and dozens missing

More than 120 people have reportedly died and 160 more are missing after a tropical storm swept through the southern Philippines.

Storm Tembin unleashed flash floods which set off landslides, sweeping away people and their homes.

Most of the deaths were in the hard-hit provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur and on the Zamboanga Peninsula, according to an initial government report.

Romina Marasigan of the government's disaster response agency earlier said authorities have reported at least 75 deaths due to landslides and sudden surges of floodwater.

But initial reports are unconfirmed.

It is the latest disaster to hit the Philippines, which is battered by about 20 typhoons and storms each year, making the archipelago that lies on the Pacific typhoon belt one of the world's most disaster-prone countries.

A search and rescue operation is under way for more than 30 people swept away by flash floods in the fishing village of Anungan, Mayor Bong Edding of Zamboanga del Norte province's Sibuco town said.

Five bodies have been recovered so far in the village, according to reports.

Mr Edding said: "The floodwaters from the mountain came down so fast and swept away people and houses.

"It's really sad because Christmas is just a few days away, but these things happen beyond our control."

Mr Edding blamed years of logging in the mountains near Anungan for the tragedy that unfolded on Friday, adding that he and other officials would move to halt the logging operations.

The rest of the deaths were reported in Lanao del Norte, where floodwater from a mountain also swept away several riverside houses and villagers, and also in Lanao del Sur, police and officials said.

Lanao del Norte officials reported the highest death toll, with 64 fatalities and 139 missing.

In Zamboanga del Norte province, officials reported at least 29 storm deaths with 19 others missing.

The storm left 21 dead and one missing in the lakeside province of Lanao del Sur, according to officials.