24 Die in Mudflows From Mt. Pinatubo
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MANILA — Mudflows from Mt. Pinatubo volcano killed 24 people, buried houses and toppled bridges, forcing tens of thousands to flee to high ground in the northern Philippines, officials said Wednesday.
Air force helicopters plucked trapped villagers from rooftops in Santa Rita in Pampanga province, 30 miles north of Manila, army Maj. Fredelito Alegre said.
Monsoon rains Tuesday set off the biggest avalanche of mud and volcanic rock from Pinatubo’s slopes since the volcano first erupted June 9. Mud and floodwaters in low-lying areas swept away hundreds of houses.
More than 500 people have died in 11 weeks of eruptions, and about 250,000 have fled their homes.
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