Mudflows caused by a powerful typhoon killed 146 people with scores more reported missing in several villages in Albay province, central Philippines, the Philippine National Red Cross said Friday.

Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the red cross, said 95 bodies were recovered while 51 more people were confirmed killed in two villages in Legazpi City.

Meanwhile, the report added that a total of 130 people were trapped and reported missing in several affected areas.

Albay Governor Fernando Gonzalez said at least 108 bodies were retrieved from at least eight villages buried by mudflows caused by super typhoon Durian which landed in the Philippines Thursday afternoon.

Officials ordered that 200 body bags be brought near the affected areas.

Local television network ABS-CBN said Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was greatly saddened by the deaths when attending a meeting of National Disaster Coordinating Council in Manila.

The mudflow came from eastern and southeastern slopes of Mount Mayon volcano Thursday afternoon due to heavy rains brought on by Durian.

Durian is the third super typhoon to have hit the Philippines in two months' time. Two other super typhoons, Xangsane and Cimaron, hit Metro Manila and northern Luzon in late August and October, respectively, killing at least 200.

Disaster officials said a total of 2,840 or 13,928 people were evacuated from 16 municipalities and three cities in Bicol and Southern Tagalog, all in central Philippines.

To the relief of officials, Durian, stronger than both Xangsane and Cimaron, spared the heavily populated Metro Manila this time in a last minute change of direction Thursday night, although heavy rain falls hit Manila early Friday without causing flood or casualties so far.

Philippine Coast Guard lifted Friday a ban on sea travel as Durian is leaving the country toward South China Sea.

As of 11:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), Durian was spotted 50 kilometers southwest of Lubang Island, 100 kilometers southwest of Manila, with maximum sustained winds of 150 km per hour and gustiness of up to 185 kph. It was moving west at a slow pace of 15 kph.

PAGASA forecasts said Durian will be over South China Sea by Saturday morning and out of the country's area of responsibility by Sunday.

Source: Xinhua