Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Typhoon Gaemi kills dozens and injures hundreds in Taiwan and Philippines

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At least 25 people have been killed in landslides and massive flooding after a typhoon swept through Taiwan and worsened monsoon rains in the Philippines.

A Tanzania-flagged freighter has sunk off the southern coast of Taiwan in the storm, with its nine crew members now missing. Searches are ongoing for the crew, who are all Myanmar nationals, the island’s fire department said.

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Waves crash onto the coastline in northeastern Taiwan’s Yilan county. Pic: AP

A second ship, oil tanker MT Terra Nova, sank off the coast of Bataan province in the Philippines.

It was loaded with about 1.4 million litres of industrial fuel oil. Rescuers saved 15 of 16 crew members.

Philippine oil tanker sinks in Manila Bay. Pic: Philippine Coast Guard/AP
Image:
Philippine oil tanker sinks in Manila Bay. Pic: Philippine Coast Guard/AP

Typhoon Gaemi also worsened seasonal rain in the Philippines where heavy flooding and landslides left 22 people dead, while at least three were killed in Taiwan with more than 220 reported injured.

Homes and businesses were destroyed across the two countries.

This photo released by Pingtung Fire Department shows, local residents being evacuated during floods after Typhoon Gaemi made landfall in Pintung county, Taiwan, Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Pingtung Fire Department via AP)
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Floods in Pingtung county, Taiwan. Pic: Pingtung Fire Department/AP

In this photo taken Wednesday, July 24, 2024 and released by Hualien Fire Department, show a car being hit by falling walls after Typhoon Gaemi made landfall in Hualien county, Taiwan. (Hualien Fire Department via AP)
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A car crushed by falling debris in Hualien county, Taiwan. Pic: Hualien Fire Department/AP

The typhoon also cut power to around half a million households in Taiwan, as offices and schools remained closed for a second day.

It was the strongest typhoon to hit the island in eight years, packing gusts of up to 141 mph.

Schools and government work were also suspended in the Philippines.

CORRECTS PHOTOGRAPHER'S LAST NAME TO CALUPITAN - Streets flood from monsoon rains worsened by offshore typhoon Gaemi on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan)
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Streets flood from monsoon rains worsened by Typhoon Gaemi in Manila, Philippines. Pic: AP

CORRECTS PHOTOGRAPHER'S LAST NAME TO CALUPITAN - Residents watch the Marikina river as it floods from monsoon rains worsened by offshore typhoon Gaemi on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, near Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan)
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The Marikina River floods near Manila, Philippines. Pic: AP

The country’s president Ferdinand Marcos Jr has ordered authorities to speed up efforts to deliver food and other aid to isolated rural villages.

“People there may not have eaten for days,” Mr Marcos said in a televised emergency meeting.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have suspended flights, trains, and boat sailings, as well as shut down schools and “work-related projects” in certain areas with the typhoon set to make landfall on Thursday.

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In the coastal province of Fujian, government officials have relocated about 150,000 people, mainly from fishing communities, state media reported.

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