Death toll from typhoon Haiyan could reach 10,000 in The Philippines

Nearly 10,000 people could have died in the deadliest typhoon that ravaged the central Philippine city of Tacloban, officials said on Sunday.

Regional police chief Elmer Soria said he was briefed by Leyte provincial Gov. Dominic Petilla and told there were about 10,000 deaths on the island.

Petilla's figure was based on reports from village officials in areas where Typhoon Haiyan slammed on Friday.

According to the Courier Mail, Tacloban city administrator Tecson Lim said that the death toll in the city alone could go up to 10,000.

About 300-400 bodies have already been recovered, Lim said.

The typhoon that passed through six central Philippine islands on Friday wiped away buildings and leveled seaside homes.

Most of the deaths and destruction were on Leyte Island, where Tacloban is located.

Eduardo Del Rosario, head of the national disaster relief agency, said that so far 720,000 people have been evacuated from 22 provinces.

At least 12 local airports have now been closed, including those servicing the popular tourist island destinations of Palawan, Bohol and Boracay, the report added.