Typhoon Gaemi has wreaked havoc across Southeast Asia, leaving a trail of destruction in the Philippines, Taiwan, and parts of China. The death toll has risen significantly, with at least 20 fatalities reported in the Philippines and varying reports of 2 to 3 deaths in Taiwan. Hundreds more have been injured, with reports ranging from over 200 to 380 people requiring medical attention.The storm has triggered two major maritime disasters. In the Philippines, the MT Terra Nova, a tanker carrying approximately 1.4 to 1.5 million liters of industrial fuel oil, sank in Manila Bay. The incident has resulted in a 3.7-kilometer-long oil slick, posing a severe environmental threat to the densely populated capital and its economically crucial bay area. Armando Balilo, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, warned of a ‘great danger’ that the oil pollution could reach Manila, stating, ‘It’s a race against the clock’. Sixteen of the tanker’s 17 crew members have been rescued, with one still missing.Off the coast of southern Taiwan, a Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship named Fu Shun capsized, leaving nine crew members, all Burmese nationals, missing. Taiwanese rescue services are using helicopters in their search efforts, but operations are being hampered by poor visibility and strong winds.The typhoon has caused widespread flooding and landslides across the affected regions. In Taiwan, over 450,000 households lost power, and the storm forced the closure of schools, offices, and the stock market. The island’s autonomous firefighters reported significant damage, including streets turning into rivers in the southern city of Kaohsiung.In the Philippines, the majority of deaths were caused by drowning, landslides, electrocution, and fallen trees. The storm forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people, with some reports suggesting over half a million displaced.As Typhoon Gaemi moves towards mainland China, authorities there have evacuated around 150,000 people in Fujian province. The storm is expected to continue into Friday, potentially causing further damage and disruption.
Key points
- Typhoon Gaemi has caused at least 22-23 deaths across the Philippines and Taiwan, with hundreds more injured.
- A Philippine oil tanker sank in Manila Bay, causing a 3.
- A Tanzanian cargo ship capsized off Taiwan’s southern coast, with nine crew members missing.
- The typhoon has caused widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people.
7-kilometer oil slick that threatens the capital’s coastline.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported death tolls, with some sources citing 2 deaths in Taiwan and others reporting 3.
The exact amount of oil carried by the sunken tanker also varies slightly between reports, ranging from 1.
4 to 1.
5 million liters.