Russian tourists return home from Philippines

Air service in the Philippines has been restored, and Russian tourists will soon be able to go home. Spokespeople for the Association of Tour Operators of Russia said host agencies were helping the Russians with plane tickets, but the dates of their departures are still unknown, as the demand on air tickets out of the Philippines has risen sharply after the typhoon.

It was also said that such popular tourist destinations as the islands of Cebu and Boracay received minimal damage from the typhoon. The airports of Mingli, Cebu and Boracay operate normally.

Meanwhile, a 4.8 earthquake struck the Philippine island of Bohol, with an epicenter 45 kilometers from the island's capital, Takbiralan. Serious casualties or damage have not been reported.