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Two New Zealanders feared missing in the Philippines after a typhoon triggered rivers of mud and volcanic ash have made contact with family, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFat) spokesman said yesterday.
More than 800 people are either dead or missing after mudslides smothered mountainside villages around Mayon volcano in the eastern region of Bicol, southeast of Manila.
The Red Cross said it had confirmed 406 dead from the mudslides, with 398 missing.
Heavy rains brought by super-typhoon Durian on Thursday mixed with volcanic ash on the slopes of the volcano to cause the deadly torrents.
The MFat spokesman said the ministry had been working with officials in the Philippines and Australia in an effort to confirm the safety of two New Zealanders. He said the girlfriend of one man, a medical student from Otago, had received a text message from him "to say they're all well".
"We'll be working with the Australians to get final confirmation but, as far as we're concerned, it all sounds like a nice, happy ending."
Typhoon Durian blasted ashore on Thursday with winds gusting up to 265km/h. Officials said it had affected 800,000 people.
- NZPA
