At least 5 killed as Typhoon Doksuri hits Philippines

At least five people were killed after Typhoon Doksuri hit the Philippines, the country's disaster relief agency said on Thursday. A powerful storm pounded the northern Philippines on Wednesday, toppling trees and knocking out power as thousands sheltered with neighbors or in emergency evacuation centers.

Typhoon Doksuri was packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 175 kilometers an hour as it hovered over waters around Dalupiri Island, off the northern tip of the main island of Luzon, the state weather agency said.

The agency warned of "violent, life-threatening conditions" as severe winds and heavy rain pounded the lightly populated region.Doksuri had been a super typhoon as it swept across the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday but weakened as it neared the Philippines.

It is expected to weaken further as it moves across the South China Sea. China also issued its highest alert for Doksuri, stopping trains and calling fishing boats to shore as the storm approaches.