Typhoon Bopha wreaks havoc in southern Philippines

The Philippine government appealed for international aid Thursday as rescue teams struggled to reach hundreds of people missing after typhoon Bopha wreaked havoc in the southern part of the archipelago. At least 477 people have been confirmed dead.

Rescue operations were underway on Thursday after typhoon Bopha wreaked havoc in the southern Philippines, killing at least 477 people according to government figures. The strongest typhoon to hit the archipelago this year made landfall in the southern island of Mindanao on Tuesday, triggering deadly landslides and devastating floods both along the coast and inland.

The Philippine government has issued an appeal for international help as local aid efforts were frustrated by blocked roads, collapsed bridges and severed communications. Rescue teams were also seeking to help more than 250,000 homeless people who were sheltered in schools, gyms, and other buildings after losing everything.