Phillipine flood deaths climb

The Philippines government says 240 people are now known to have died in severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana.



The country has appealed for foreign aid to deal with the disaster, which has displaced more than 450,000 people.



Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro says the situation could become worse if aid supplies run out.



The country’s National Disaster Coordinating Council says the sharp rise in the death toll came after more than 90 deaths were recorded in Manila.



Earlier, Mr Teodoro appealed for humanitarian assistance from the international community.



And rescue workers are continuing to pull bodies from the mud and swollen rivers.