Deadly typhoon traps 13 in goldmine

Deadly typhoon traps 13 in goldmine

24.09.2008

A TYPHOON is churning across the South China Sea towards Hong Kong and the Chinese coast after killing three people in the northern Philippines and trapping 13 people in a gold mine.

The weather in Hong Kong worsened with the local meteorological agency raising the No 8 gale or storm signal at as Typhoon Hagupit edged northwest at about 30 km/h towards the south China coast and the gambling hub of Macau.

The highest signal is 10.

Winds of up to 87km/h, heavy rain and rough swells buffeted Hong Kong, forcing schools and container ports to close as well as disrupting more than 60 flights and ferry services.

"Hagupit will pass closest to Hong Kong tonight and it will make landfall tomorrow morning to the west of Guangdong province," said Cheng Cho-ming, a senior scientific officer with the Hong Kong Observatory.

China`s Meteorological Administration issued an "urgent red alert," its highest-level alert on Tuesday. 

Under current guidelines, financial markets and schools in Hong Kong will be closed on Wednesday if signal No. 8 is not lowered before 9.30 am (0130 GMT).

In the Philippines, the coastguard rescued 21 people from three cargo and fishing vessels that sank in rough waters as Hagupit passed the north coast on Monday. In total, three people were killed and four were missing.

Authorities in the northern province of Benguet said 13 gold miners were trapped when water levels rose after heavy rain.

"We are working on rescue operations and our priority is to suction out the water first," said provincial Governor Nestor Fongwan.

The Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council said about 120 people had fled their homes in a northern mountain village due to fears of landslide as the weather bureau lowered typhoon alerts.

Taiwan also lifted its land and sea warnings after the typhoon brushed the island`s southern tip overnight, causing no injuries or damage, officials said.

Some areas in the northern Philippines remained cut off by floods and landslides and without power and telephone service.

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