23 fishermen missing after Typhoon Utor hits Philippines

Manila: A powerful typhoon has made landfall in the northern Philippines and is dumping heavy rains across mountains, cities and food-growing plains.

Typhoon Utor slammed ashore in mountainous eastern Aurora province Monday morning with sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 210 kph. It's described as the strongest typhoon globally so far this year.

The national disaster agency says about 1,000 spent the night in shelters while Aurora province was without power.

Families have reported 23 fishermen who were out at sea failed to return home in four towns in Catanduanes province. Office of Civil Defense regional director Bernardo Alejandro IV says authorities are hoping the fishermen took shelter in coves or on islands.