Typhoon Mangkhut: Death toll rises to 60 in Philippines

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01:18

‍Super typhoon Mangkhut made landfall in southern China's Guangdong Province on Sunday after leaving a trail of destruction in Hong Kong and Macao (China's Special Administrative Regions), and killing at least 64 people in the northern Philippines.

The Philippines was just beginning to count the cost of the typhoon which hit northern Luzon on Saturday. The death toll rose to 64, police said, as more landslide victims were discovered.

A man walks through the wreckage and debris after typhoon Mangkhut in Tuguegarao, Philippines, September 15, 2018. /VCG Photo

Mangkhut left large expanses of Luzon island underwater as fierce winds tore trees from the ground and rain unleashed dozens of landslides.

Authorities said they would continue their efforts to dig out a group of two dozen miners who are feared dead after their bunkhouse was hit by a landslide near the northern city of Baguio.

In the town of Baggao, the typhoon demolished houses, tore off roofs and downed power lines. Some roads were cut off by landslides and many remained submerged.

The latest victims in the Philippines were mostly people who died in landslides, including a family of four.

Children use basins to cross a flooded street after super typhoon Mangkhut in Calumpit, Philippines, September 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

Smashed windows and flooding in Hong Kong and Macao

Hong Kong weather authorities issued their maximum alert for the storm, which hit the city with gusts of more than 230-kilometers per hour and left 213 people injured, according to official figures.

Ferocious winds uprooted trees and smashed windows in office and residential buildings, some of which swayed in the gusts, residents said.

Smashed window panels during super typhoon Mangkhut in Hong Kong, China's Special Administrative Region, September 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

Waters surged in the famous Victoria Harbour and coastal fishing villages, from which hundreds of residents were evacuated to storm shelters.

Some roads were waist-deep in water with parts of the city cut off by floods and fallen trees.

The government warned people to stay indoors but some ventured out to take photos.

Others stayed at home but were terrified by smashing windows in their apartments.

Almost all flights in and out of Hong Kong were canceled. Schools in the city will be shut Monday.

People walking in a flooded shopping mall during super typhoon Mangkhut, Hong Kong, China's Special Administrative Region, September 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

In neighboring Macao, 18 people were injured as of Monday. The world-famous gaming city shut down all 42 casinos for the first time in its history.

Flooding of up to 2.5 meters was reported and some people had to be rescued from homes on rubber dinghies, authorities said.

Around 20,000 Macao households also suffered a power blackout, local media reported.

Flights at Macao's airport will be resumed gradually on Monday.

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters