Typhoon doesn't affect operation of Russian embassy in Manila
MOSCOW/MANILA. Nov 10 (Interfax) - The Russian embassy in the Philippines has not received any information about Russians killed or injured by the destructive Haiyan typhoon so far.
"There have been no reports of afflicted Russians. We continue to monitor the situation and keep in touch with all authorized agencies," an embassy official told Itnerfax on the phone on Sunday.
He said the typhoon did not disrupt the operation of the Russian diplomatic mission in Manila.
He said the typhoon did not affect Boracay island which is popular among Russian tourists too badly.
"The typhoon disrupted power supplies on Boracay, but Russian and foreign tourists staying there were not affected," the official said in a telephone conversation.
Executive Director of the Association of Russian Travel Operators Maya Lomidze estimated the number of Russian tourists on the Philippines at several dozen as the high season there will begin only at the end of November.
"We have not received any reports from travel operators that Russian tourists would have any problems during their stay in the Philippines," she told Interfax.
She stressed that there are practically no tourists from Central Russia on the islands. "Only tourists from the Far East may be staying there," she said.
She said that hotels in resorts popular among foreign tourists started preparing for the approaching typhoon back on November 6.
Typhoon Haiyan caused great damage to the coastal city of Tacloban which is the capital of Leyte province. The local authorities estimate that at least 10,000 people fell victim to the typhoon. Numerous buildings have been destroyed or badly damaged, traffic has been almost fully paralyzed which greatly hinders rescue efforts.
On Sunday President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to his Filipino colleague Benigno Aquino on the massive loss of life and destruction caused by the typhoon.