Waves break against the protecting walls as Typhoon Gaemi approaches in Keelung, Taiwan on Wednesday (July 24). – Reuters
TAIPEI: A cargo ship has sunk in Taiwan after Typhoon Gaemi passed over the island overnight, authorities said on Thursday (July 25).
Nine crew members from Myanmar are missing after Tanzanian-flagged freighter Fu-Shun sank off the coast of Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Center said.
Authorities are waiting for better weather conditions to continue their search operation, the centre added.
Elsewhere, two people have been killed and at least 279 injured in accidents caused by Gaemi in Taiwan.
Television footage showed destroyed roads, vehicles damaged by fallen trees and large-scale flooding.
On Thursday morning, about 87,000 households remained without electricity while offices and schools remained closed island-wide. Taiwan's stock market also remained closed, marking a rare second day without trading.
More than 400 international and domestic flights were cancelled and some train services suspended.
Officials of Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) said on Thursday morning that the typhoon has weakened but warned residents of possible floods caused by heavy rains.
The centre of the storm moved out to the Taiwan Strait early on Thursday.
The typhoon had already wreaked havoc in the Philippines. Twenty-one people were killed in floods, landslides and other accidents caused by Typhoon Gaemi in the Philippines, police said on Thursday.
Gaemi also triggered one of the worst floodings in the capital, Manila, before crossing to Taiwan.
Gaemi is expected to move west and approach the coast of Fujian, China in the evening. – DPA
