A massive fire tore through a coastal shanty town in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday, leaving at least 2,000 families homeless.
Photos showed residents escaping the fire on makeshift rafts into the sea while others scrambled to salvage their belongings.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the disaster, but blazes in Manila slums are often sparked by faulty electrical wiring or gas canisters. The Manila Fire District said around 1,000 houses were destroyed and roughly 8,000 people displaced.
Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan visited the area on Monday and urged residents to evacuate to a temporary shelter, where meals and supplies would be delivered.
“We will help all of you,” she said. “Don’t lose hope. Let’s help each other out ahead of Christmas time.”
Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.
