Christmas Typhoon Leaves 20 Dead in Philippines

A man walks past damaged homes after Typhoon Phanfone swept through Tanauan, Leyte, in the Philippines, on Dec. 25, 2019. Paul Cinco/via Reuters

UPDATE: The death toll rose to 28 on Friday, with 12 people missing.

MANILA, Philippines—A strong typhoon that barreled through the central Philippines left at least 20 people dead and forced thousands to flee their homes, devastating Christmas celebrations in the predominantly Catholic country.