Scores injured as typhoon lashes Hong Kong

HONG KONG – More than 100 people were injured and trees were ripped from the ground as a typhoon lashed Hong Kong packing winds in excess of 140 kilometers (87 miles) an hour, officials said Tuesday, July 24.

Authorities raised the typhoon warning to the most severe level of 10 for the first time since 1999 as Typhoon Vicente roared to within 100 kilometers of Hong Kong shortly after midnight.

The 10 warning was downgraded to eight early Tuesday morning as the storm passed to the west and weakened over the southern Chinese coast, but authorities warned residents to remain vigilant.

“Although Vicente is moving gradually away from Hong Kong and started to weaken, gale force winds are still prevailing over parts of the territory with occasional storm force winds offshore and on high ground and frequent heavy squally showers,” the Hong Kong Observatory said.

“Members of the public are advised not to relax their precautions.”

More than 600 trees fell overnight and pieces of buildings were seen crashing into downtown streets as commuters made their way home from work on Monday evening, when people were told to seek shelter.

Ferry, bus and train services were suspended or ran at reduced capacity, the port was closed and 44 passenger flights to the regional aviation hub were cancelled. More than 270 flights were delayed.

The Hong Kong stock exchange delayed the opening of trading Tuesday until authorities gave the all-clear that it was safe to go to work.

School classes and hospital outpatient clinics were suspended until further notice. Flooding was reported in five areas.

Almost 120 people sought medical treatment, the Hospital Authority said. Fifteen of these required hospitalization, the government information service said.

Almost 250 people sought refuge in storm shelters. Local media reported that more than 100 commuters stayed in the Tai Wai underground train station overnight, unable to get home after services were suspended.

A landslide occurred in the upscale Peak neighborhood but there were no casualties as a result, officials said. – Agence France-Presse