Devastated by super typhoon Durian, the central Philippine province of Albay reported Saturday that 237 local residents were confirmed dead with more than 150 others still missing in the most-affected areas.

The rescuers have retrieved the 237 bodies from the villages around Mayon volcano near the Albay's capital city of Legazpi, ANC TV quoted the provincial governor Fernando Gonzales as saying.

The victims were mostly buried alive on Thursday by the deadly mudslides that roared down Mayon's southeast slope. The rescuers are still trying to find the missing ones before their works are called off, added Gonzales.

The governor also said that the on-site operations have shifted from searching for survivors to the retrieval of bodies.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Coordinating Council said in an updated report by noon time that at least 469 people were dead or missing around Mayon.

Earlier the Philippine National Red Cross said that almost 400 people were killed in mudslides and flooding brought by typhoon Durian in Albay province, but other authorities said the death toll are yet to be verified.

Source: Xinhua