Taiwan Struggles with Typhoon Gaemi: Three Dead, Over 220 Injured

Taiwan Struggles with Typhoon Gaemi: Three Dead, Over 220 Injured/Reuters

VoM News Desk | July 25, 2024 | 06:29 PM IST | Breaking News | Follow on Google News

Taiwan Struggles with Typhoon Gaemi: Three Dead, Over 220 Injured

Taiwan Struggles with Typhoon Gaemi: Three Dead, Over 220 Injured

Key Highlights:

1. Typhoon Gaemi claims at least three lives and injures over 220 in Taiwan.
2. Schools and offices across all 22 cities and counties were closed in response.
3. Strong winds, torrential rain, and safety measures impacted thousands of residents.

Taiwan grappled with the devastating impact of Typhoon Gaemi as the storm intensified and drew nearer, unleashing strong winds and torrential rain across the island, Focus Taiwan reported.

As of 10:40 pm on Wednesday, authorities reported at least three fatalities and more than 220 injuries related to the typhoon. The Central Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) and local authorities provided updates as communities braced for the storm’s full force.

One tragic incident involved Wang Chin-sheng, the chief of Wuliao ward in New Taipei’s Sanxia District, who died in an accident while operating a mechanical excavator. The vehicle overturned, pinning Wang beneath it. Despite rescue efforts, he succumbed to his injuries, although his death was not yet officially included in the CEOC’s figures.

The CEOC issued warnings that Typhoon Gaemi would significantly impact Taiwan starting Wednesday night, with landfall expected on the northeastern coast. In response, all 22 cities and counties across Taiwan announced closures of schools and offices for Thursday.

Among the fatalities, one occurred in Hualien County and another in Kaohsiung’s Fengshan District. In Kaohsiung, a 64-year-old woman named Lu was fatally struck by a falling tree while riding her scooter. Despite rapid intervention by emergency responders, Lu could not be revived. In Hualien City, a falling parapet wall fatally injured a 45-year-old woman and severely injured her son.

The widespread impact of Typhoon Gaemi was evident in the 227 injuries reported across Taiwan. In New Taipei’s Sanzhi District, a 30-year-old man named Chen suffered head and limb injuries when strong winds tore off the galvanized iron roof of his house. In Kaohsiung’s Sinsing District, a man named Peng sustained multiple abrasions after falling from his scooter due to a collision with a fallen tree.

Local authorities relocated 8,569 individuals temporarily in response to the typhoon threat. As of 11 p.m., the Central Weather Administration reported that Typhoon Gaemi was positioned approximately 30 kilometers east-northeast of Hualien County, moving northwest at 12 km per hour. The storm boasted maximum sustained winds of up to 184 kph, with gusts reaching 227 kph.

VoM News Desk

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