Typhoon 'Koinu' Hits Hong Kong... Hundreds Stranded at Airport

On the 5th, Typhoon 'Koinu,' which struck Taiwan causing over 300 casualties, made landfall in Hong Kong on the 8th, causing major disruptions such as the paralysis of public transportation.

On the 5th, in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, a car is passing by a utility pole that has fallen along the roadside due to the impact of Typhoon No. 14 'Goni'. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK on the 9th, at 7 p.m. the previous day, Hong Kong issued a Typhoon Signal No. 9, leading to the suspension of high-speed trains and buses connecting Hong Kong International Airport and the city center, resulting in chaos as hundreds of travelers were unable to move into the city.

Typhoon Signal No. 9 is the second highest level among the five typhoon warning signals in Hong Kong.

As a result, endless queues formed at the airport to catch the limited taxis in operation, and signs at stations warned that taxi waiting times exceeded three hours.

With all outdoor sections of the subway suspended, many passengers were stranded at subway stations amid severe weather conditions.

The Hong Kong Observatory announced that around midnight on the 9th, the typhoon signal was lowered to No. 8 and is expected to remain in effect until around noon that day.

When Typhoon Signal No. 8 is issued, schools, the stock market, and public institutions close, and most private companies do not report to work.

The Observatory reported that over 100mm of heavy rain fell across Hong Kong overnight, with some areas receiving more than 200mm.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities reported that around 20 injury cases have been reported due to the typhoon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.