At least 11 people have been killed and four others are missing after an unexpectedly strong typhoon slammed into the southern coast of China, unleashing deadly tornadoes in the region, state media reported.
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Seven people have died in typhoon-triggered tornados in Guangdong: three in Panyu district on the outskirts of Guangzhou, and four in Shunde district of Foshan, Guangdong provincial civil affairs department said in a press release Tuesday night. Forecasters warned that it packed winds of up to 180 kilometers per hour.
In Zhanjiang City, one person was found dead in the debris of a house that toppled in rainstorm, and three fishermen died in a pair of boat accidents in the stormy sea. A few 117 fishermen were rescued according to local maritime authorities, the agency said.
The typhoon gained power quickly before making landfall with winds as strong as 216 kph. Telecommunications blackouts have slowed the reporting of damage assessments.
Deaths and injuries were reported in Guangdong as well as neighbouring Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the report said.
The incredible footage captures the huge twister wreaking havoc in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong yesterday afternoon.
More than 500 tourists were stranded on Fangji Island, Xinhua added, citing local officials.
Fast winds caused by the approaching typhoon led authorities in Hainan, a popular holiday island, to cancel 68 flights on Saturday and suspend train services, official news agency Xinhua said.
China’s tourism market remained exuberant Tuesday as tourist attractions received large ticket revenues during the first six days of the week-long National Day holiday.
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It said almost 1.9 million people in Guangxi suffered losses from the typhoon and 417 homes were destroyed.
