By TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Typhoon Gaemi struck China’s southeastern coast on Thursday evening, causing significant damage after earlier sweeping through Taiwan and the Philippines, where it left a trail of destruction and a combined death toll of 25.
In Taiwan, the storm led to landslides and flooding in low-lying areas, claiming the lives of three people. Offices and schools were closed for the second consecutive day, and authorities urged residents to stay indoors and avoid coastal areas. Two fatalities occurred on Wednesday before the storm made landfall around midnight, and on Thursday afternoon, a 78-year-old man died when a mudslide hit his home. Additionally, 380 people sustained injuries.
Another death on Wednesday, involving a driver pinned under an overturned excavator, was initially attributed to the typhoon but later found to be unrelated.
Typhoon Gaemi intensified seasonal rains in the Philippines earlier in the week, raising the death toll to 22.
Despite Taiwan’s advanced warning systems, the island’s topography, high population density, and high-tech economy make it challenging to avoid losses during such storms. In the capital city, Taipei, the streets were unusually quiet with light rain and occasional gusts of wind.
