Christmas typhoon kills at least 13 in Philippines

A typhoon that struck the central Philippines over Christmas has killed at least 13 people.

Disaster agency officials confirmed the number on Thursday.

It said fatalities were in the central provinces of Capiz, Iloilo and Leyte, including a 13-year-old boy who was electrocuted..

More than 58,000 people were evacuated from their homes before the storm, which caused widespread property damage, and more than 15,000 were stranded at ports when ferries were suspended.

Scores of flights were canceled.

The typhoon left the Philippines on Wednesday night and was out over the South China Sea, moving west.

An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines each year, with storms becoming stronger in recent years.