10,000 people fear dead in C. Philippines by typhoon 'Haiyan'

MANILA, Nov. 10 -- An estimated 10,000 people in central Philippine province of Leyte might be killed by super typhoon "Haiyan", local media reported Sunday.

The figure was based on estimates of officials in Tacloban city, the worst hit capital of Leyte province, after a meeting last night with the governor of Leyte, local newspaper inquirer quoted regional police chief Elmer Soria as saying.

The national government departments and disaster agency have not confirmed the figure yet.

"I don't know how to describe what I saw. It's horrific," Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas, who flew to Tacloban city on Saturday, said on television footage.

The city became dark everywhere due to interruption of power supply, he added.

Roxas admitted the government found it difficult to give an accurate count of the extent of casualties after communication lines in hard-hit areas were cut off.

A team of 120 police has been sent to Tacloban city, as reports said looting occurred in the city.