A boy was found alive by rescuers after he hid overnight inside a refrigerator to escape a landslide triggered by Tropical Storm Megi in the Philippines.

CJ Jasme, 11, was at home home with his family when a massive mudslide approached their village in Baybay City, Leyte province on April 15. It was already the second wave of landslide that battered the community at the foot of the mountain - with the first one killing the boy’s father on April 14.

His relatives reportedly rushed to take him from the kitchen as wet soil and rocks struck their home this time, but the quick-thinking teenager went to hide inside the broken appliance instead.

The brave youngster had been inside for around 15 to 20 hours before he was found injured and starving by rescuers the next morning on April 16.

His uncle Juanito Orellano said: ‘When his uncle was supposed to rescue him, he sent him away because a big landslide was coming, and it was very dangerous. CJ was already left there, so he got into the refrigerator.’

A policeman, officer Jonas Etis, reportedly saw the boy after the mudslide and put tourniquet on his leg. However, another loud bang was heard which meant a wave of rocks was coming so the boy was kept inside the fridge again while the cop jumped into the river to avoid it.

When the rescue teams returned, the boy was found heavily injured but conscious, asking for some food and water. Rescuers said the first words the child spoke to them were: 'I'm hungry.'

He was given first aid and rushed to the hospital where he had an operation for his broken leg. He is now in stable condition.

CJ's older brother, 13, reportedly managed to run away from the landslide while CJ himself took shelter inside their refrigerator. Their mother and younger sibling were still missing while their father, who died before the mudslide struck their home, was laid to rest on April 17.

Milet Labana, a Good Samaritan raising funds for the orphaned boy, said: 'The surgeons have finished operating on his broken leg. We thank everyone who has donated and prayed for CJ. He is currently recovering and needs Type B blood donors.'

Tropical Storm Megi, locally known as Agaton, made landfall in Guiuan municipality, Eastern Samar at 7:30 am on April 10 with maximum sustained winds of up to 75 kilometres per hour.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said at least 172 have died due to landslides and flooding triggered by the storm. The agency added that more than two million locals have been displaced, with some 207,500 people still staying in evacuation centres.

State weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has lifted all cyclone warnings saying Megi has dissipated on Wednesday, April 13.