BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- The official death toll from Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines has reached 620, while the number of people missing has jumped to nearly 900. Almost a week after the disaster, search and rescue work continues as the government says it holds out hopes of finding more survivors.

The race against time to search for more survivors continues in the areas hit by Typhoon Bopha.

Officials from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council say they remain confident more survivors will be rescued, especially in isolated areas which are yet to be reached by rescue teams.

The number of people missing jumped to nearly 900 after families and fishing companies reported losing contact with more than 300 fishermen at sea.

They’d left a few days before Typhoon Bopha hit the main southern island of Mindanao on Tuesday. Officials say they may have sought shelter on small islands. Coastal guards, navy and fishing vessels are all taking part in the search.

After slamming into the southern Philippines, the typhoon moved out to sea, but then veered back toward the country’s northwest on Saturday, prompting worries of more devastation.

It later dissipated and weakened as it moved across the South China Sea.

President Benigno Aquino the Third has declared a state of national calamity, which allows for price controls on basic commodities in typhoon-affected areas and the quick release of emergency funds.

Mining and illegal logging in disaster hit areas have contributed to the high number of casualties.

So far, 5.4 million people have been affected by the typhoon, while 130-thousand people are still being housed in evacuation centers.

An initial estimate of damage to agriculture, infrastructure and property totals nearly 160 million U.S. dollars.

(Source: cntv.com)